Mary Jo "Jo-Jo, MJ" Brumbaugh

Mary Jo Brumbaugh (Woolford) passed away Sunday November 20, 2022 in Traverse City, Michigan after a short yet very heroic battle with cancer. Born on September 20, 1946 to the late Dr. Robert and Mrs. Mary (Kilgore) Woolford in Cincinnati, Ohio. MJ or Jo-Jo, as she was known, attended the prestigious Doherty’s Private School for Girls where she excelled in both academics and athletics. At the age of 14, Mary Jo was invited to move to California to train and eventually join the USA Olympic Swim Team; An offer that she ultimately declined. Upon graduating from Doherty’s, Mary Jo went on to graduate from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She was employed for 32 years as a kindergarten teacher for the Cincinnati Public Schools, retiring in January of 2001. She invested time, energy, love, and compassion into each of her students. Splitting her time between her home in Cincinnati (especially with her cherished Marielders), her beloved family cottage in Omena (especially with her daughter, son in law, and grandchildren), or the cabin in Lake of the Woods, Ontario, were all Mary Jo’s idea of a perfect retirement. Mary Jo was known for her culinary prowess, quick wit, and love of family. She wore her heart of gold on her sleeve and had a feistiness that was undeniable. Surviving Mary Jo and honored to live on in her legacy are her daughter, Margaret Wilkes (Umbarger), Son in Law Matthew S Wilkes, grand children Peyton T Wilkes and Ella J Wilkes. Her brother Charles K. Woolford (Pam), nieces Katie Dalton (Scott), Shelby Woolford, and nephews Jake and Alex Dalton. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Robert M Woolford Jr, and husband David A Brumbaugh. A memorial service will take place on December 14, 2022 at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, MI at 11:00am. Join the family in remembrance of Mary Jo at 10:00am until the beginning of the service. A second gathering, with date and time to be announced, will occur in the summer of 2023. Mary Jo and her family strongly encourage you to consider contributions to either Bay Ridge Assisted Living Center in Traverse City, MI or ProMedica Hospice of Northwestern Michigan in leu of flowers. The family is forever grateful to both organizations for all the compassion, care and support they provided not only Jo-Jo but the entire family during her end-of-life journey.

Mary Jo "Jo-Jo, MJ" Brumbaugh

September 20, 1946 - November 20, 2022