Mary Joan (Jo) Seeley Babcock died Wednesday, November 15th, 2017 at Brethren Care in Ashland, Ohio surrounded by family. She was born October 2nd, 1930 to Mildred (McConnell) and Charles Seeley on the family dairy farm in Brighton, Ohio. Jo graduated from Brighton High School in 1948 and the M.B. Johnson School of Nursing in 1951. She practiced as a registered nurse in Elyria and Oberlin Ohio, Ames Iowa, Ann Arbor Michigan, Wellington Ohio and retired from Medina General Hospital, Medina Ohio in 1995. Jo married her high school sweetheart, Jarvis Babcock, August 8th, 1953 and together they raised four children, Jane (Andy) Toro, Stephen (Becky), Michael (Rachel), and Sarah (Frank) McManus. Jo was a wonderful mother and wife who saw only the positive; she had encouraging words for everyone and was generous to all family, friends and neighbors. In addition to being an outstanding nurse, Jo also had many interests including baking, canning, gardening, hiking, birdwatching, sewing, needlework, knitting, spinning, and genealogy. Jo was an early proponent of healthy eating, exercise, composting, recycling. She was involved in community organizations including Ann Arbor League of Women Voters, the New London Library Board, the Rochester Historical Society, and Rochester Election polling. Jo was predeceased by her husband, Jarvis, in 2012 as well as her parents, siblings Jean (Tom) Gaylord and David Seeley and brother-in-law Harvey Funk. She is survived her children and their spouses, grandchildren Kate (Ben) Jullien, Tom (Marissa) Toro, Linden (Zac) Coe, Orrin Babcock, Ezra Babcock, Clara Babcock, Liam McManus, Molly McManus, Clare McManus; and great grandchildren Oliver Jullien, Emily Jullien, Elijah Wolf Toro, Henry Coe, Brezlyn Coe, Zariah Coe. Jo is also survived by her siblings Marge Funk, Jim (Vivian) Seeley, Lawrence (LaVerne) Seeley; and sister-in-law Sherry Seeley. Jo is also survived by her sisters-in-law Weezie (Bill) Bradley and Catherine (Curt) Leary as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews. Family and friends will be received on Monday, November 20, 2017 from 10-11am until the time of service at 11 at the Brighton United Methodist Church, 51011 State Route 18, Wellington. Burial will follow at Rochester cemetery. The family wishes to acknowledge the loving care Jo received at the Brethren Care Facility's Bradford House #3 during her last years in the long journey of living with dementia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brethren Care Village, c/o Bradford Houses, 2000 Center Street, Ashland, OH 44805 or The Rochester Historical Society, c/o Andy Kurpely, 114 Griggs Road, Rochester, OH 44090. Online condolences may be expressed at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.

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