Joanne B. (Jo) Gruschow

Joanne (Jo Beattie) Gruschow, widow of Willard (Bud) Gruschow, loving mother of daughters, Sue, Nan, Barb, and Joan, and companion of Jack Childs for many years, died Wednesday, March 26, 2014 surrounded by family at her home in Bluffton, South Carolina. Jo and Bud were high school sweethearts and graduates of Michigan State College (University). She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Jo remained a true Spartan fan in more ways than one. Jo's Scottish roots of "thriftiness" were instrumental in helping provide a life in which all thrived. Widowed at age 43 with three girls in college and one in junior high school, Jo was the glue and suddenly, head of the household. Jo attended night school at Wayne State University and received her Masters in Business. She went on to teach math and business classes at Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan until her retirement. Jo's father, James Beattie, lived to age 105 and her mother, Maybelle, passed at 90. Jo provided many years of caregiving and support both to her parents, and later, companion, Jack. Want something done? Give it to a busy person . . . that would definitely be Jo! With her lifelong love of golf, bridge and tennis, she organized, served, and was a fierce competitor in all three. A Bronze Life Master bridge player (just 4 points from Silver - ouch!) who played three times a week-she will be so missed at the bridge table. In Sun City, she enjoyed the euchre club and joined the Ohio State Buckeye Club because they had so many fun social activities (the daughters who all attended Michigan State University cringed!) To all who knew her, Jo was a true friend, a "rock" and a role model. In fact, she introduced her girls to rock and roll. We all recall doing the "twist" to the music of Chubby Checkers and other Motown favorites, the artists that appeared on American Bandstand, along with the legendary Bill Haley and the Comets, Frank Sinatra, The Mills Brothers, Dixieland jazz, blues, and country. As a family, we were glued to our seats as we watched the first televised performances of Elvis Presley and the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show via our "big" 14" black and white TV! Card and board games such as Solitaire, Clue, Monopoly, Spit, Sorry, and Gin Rummy consumed a large part of our family time. Mom taught her girls to be strategic players, gracious winners, and a little less gracious losers! Jo is remembered by her daughters Susan Keys/ Kusz (Larry) of Bonita Springs, FL, Nancy Gruschow of Lakewood, CO; Barb (Chuck) McCollom of Mt. Pleasant, MI-grandchildren Tracy (Federico) Bordignon, David McCollom, and Joan (Gregg) Carnicello of Golden, CO-grandchildren, Kevin and Christine Carnicello, and her sister Janice (Tom) Mellen of Williamsville, NY along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that might as well have been relatives. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time in Jo's home state of Michigan. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 11 Mallet Way, Suite 301, Bluffton, SC 29910 or Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, PO Box 3827, Bluffton, SC 29910. Share your memories on Jo's Tribute Wall: saulsfh.com Arrangements by Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton.