|
Remembering Jo Ann Peters
---- Duncan Munro
Like many in the volleyball community,
my family and I were shocked and saddened to learn of Jo Ann’s sudden death.
Thinking about her made me realize that, without her influence, I might
never have traveled the path into volleyball officiating.
When our son became interested in volleyball
as a teenager, we looked for some program that would allow him to pursue
his interest. Jo Ann was one of very few who was willing to take on the
often daunting and under-appreciated task of running a junior program for
boys. Playing on her team gave Brian a chance to grow and develop as a
player and certainly provided Mom and Dad with a reason to get up very
early on weekends to drive to new and strange places.
When I retired from my “real world” career
in 1992, my interest in following and observing volleyball — supported
largely by the chances that Jo Ann provided — led to attending clinics
and becoming certified to officiate. The rest is whatever history will
make of it.
Jo Ann was certainly a person who was easy
to smile with and at. At times, she could be delightfully scatterbrained,
and organization was not always her strongest suit. But, she never failed
to show that she cared deeply about many things: her family, her players,
and the sport of volleyball and all those who participate in it.
People who truly care are badly needed in
this world and are missed when they leave us. Jo Ann Peters was such
a person, and she will be missed. |
|
