Jo Anne Brubaker

Jo Anne (Drayer) Brubaker, 85, passed peacefully on May 4, 2016 at The Grand Traverse Pavilions where she was receiving therapy after suffering a stroke on January 19th, 2016. Jo was the only child of Hugh (Pete) and Verna (Randy) Drayer and was born on February 27, 1931, with a twin sister (who died at birth) in Indianapolis, Indiana. When she was four, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Jo started piano lessons and nurtured her love for music. She continued her lessons through high school and continued when the family moved to Joliet, Illinois. During her studies, the family moved back to Michigan where Jo graduated from Pontiac Michigan High. She then attended Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (Piano & Organ) in 1952. Jo and Stan first met at Central Methodist Church at Grand Circus Park in downtown Detroit, when she was just six years old. Stan made a first and lasting impression by yanking on Jo’s pigtails. Their families were new friends and thereafter, their friendship grew closer. They later dated, except when she was living in Joliet and Stan was in the Army (1945-1947). Jo and Stan continued their romance at Indiana University, graduating in June 1952 and married on January 2, 1953 (her Dad insisted they wait until 1953 as he wanted her as a tax deduction for 1952). They made their home in Birmingham, where she taught piano briefly in the local school system, continuing with private lessons in the home for several years. Jo always had an eye for interior design and enjoyed providing private interior design service until the family moved to their Glen Haven cottage in 1972. Soon after the move, Jo started Leelanau Interiors, an interior design firm and gift shop in Glen Arbor. She was fortunate to have clients throughout the Leelanau/Grand Traverse area, various other states and even off-shore. She operated that business, making quite a name for herself, finally retiring in 2001. Jo enjoyed her peaceful and beautiful life on the shores of Lake Michigan. She had a wonderful circle of friends and enjoyed their time together, taking art classes through the Glen Arbor Art Association, as well as participating in the activities of the Glen Arbor Women’s and Garden Clubs. She also loved the many foreign trips to non-tourist destinations made with Stan for his business, as well as traveling to design shows across the country for her business. She loved nature and walking with Stan and their dogs on the beach and through the local woods. In 1963, Jo and Stan started what is now known as the 4th of July (Anything Goes) parade from Glen Haven to Glen Arbor which has continued to be a special and favorite Brubaker holiday. Jo is survived by her husband, Stan, four children, Kristi (Julie) of Honor, MI, Rod of Traverse City, Peter (Kathy) of Torrance, CA and Scott (Melinda) of Littleton, CO. She had six grandchildren, Josh and Dusty (Kristi), Alec and Adam (Peter), Cole and Quinn (Scott) and two great grandchildren J.T. and Eva (Josh). The Family wishes to thank all the wonderful people at the Pavilions and Michigan Hospice for Jo’s loving and outstanding care, and the love, visits, gifts and prayers from her many cherished friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be gratefully accepted at the Glen Lake Community Reformed Church, 4902 W MacFarlane Rd, Glen Arbor 49636, or The Glen Arbor Art Association, PO Box 305, Glen Arbor, MI, 49636.

Jo Anne Brubaker

February 27, 1931 - May 4, 2016