JoAnn Robertson, affectionately known as Grandma Jo to family and friends alike passed away on Friday, July 5, 2024, in her hometown Pensacola Beach, FL. JoAnn readily adopted Pensacola after nearly 75 years in Sand Springs, OK where she was born, married her beloved husband Bill in 1951, and raised her four children.

A graduate of Sand Springs High School in 1946 and Oklahoma State University in 1950, JoAnn dedicated her life to supporting her family both as a homemaker and in the workplace where for years she managed the operations and accounting for two businesses for over 30 years in Sand Springs. She even found time each evening to pursue her passion for sewing and was an active member in many clubs, including Quota Club of Sand Springs, Pensacola Beach Women's Club, Girl Scouting, and the March of Dimes.

Most probably recall that JoAnn and Hurricane Ivan made landfall at Pensacola Beach in 2004. But it would be almost two years before she rescued her household items and completed her sojourn here. Not to be discouraged by such a turbulent move, she was soon logging her daily nearly 3-mile walks along Pensacola beach, a shoreline that is much more pristine today because of her cleaning efforts along the beach. Not long after settling into her new home she became an active member of the Regency Board and known among her fellow residents for her balcony cocktail hours! About as famous were her annual Mother's Day brunches, affectionally known as the East Hill happy spot.

As much as she drew enormous pleasure from these many activities, her true passion was her volunteer work at the Gulf Breeze Library and her spiritual community at Our Lady of Assumption. Perhaps it is now time to retire her nickname "The Donut Lady"?

JoAnn is preceded in death by her father, Joseph Patrick Burke; mother, Mary Ina; brother, Lawson; and sisters, Mary Helen, and Edith.

JoAnn's love extended to her four children, Shelley (LeRoy) Lee, Patrick Robertson (Dianna), Linda Robertson, and Mary (Steve) Carter who remember her as always ready with supportive advice and comforting words. Her five grandchildren, Brian, Bridget, Clint, Daniel, and Michael, and her five great-grandchildren will carry her legacy of kindness and joy.

‍She was a cherished member of the Burke/Robertson family.

Funeral Mass will be held 11:00am Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, with Fr. John Cayer celebrant. JoAnn will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Bill at Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery in Sand Springs.

The honor of pallbearer is bestowed upon Johnny Holland, Steve, Jake, Matt Freeman, Ben Townes and John Durkin.

JoAnn's family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Regency Towers, all her friends at the Gulf Breeze Library, and her spiritual community at Our Lady of Assumption, especially Lynn Clark and Ilona Borish.

Grandma Jo will be profoundly missed, but her spirit will continue to guide and inspire all who were blessed to know her.