With sadness, we announce the passing of Jo Ellen Moore on Dec. 20, 2023.
Jo Ellen was born to Francis and Opal Moore on June 16, 1940, and raised in Madera, CA.
After graduating from Madera Union High School in 1958, Jo Ellen followed her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher by receiving her Undergraduate degree in Education from California State University, Fresno in 1962, before moving on to the classroom. She taught for 20 years at several locations, including a time in Alaska. As a teacher, she created much of her own materials to help children enjoy learning, which was her life’s passion.
Along with two partners, Jo Ellen spent the next 30 years building a successful business — Evan-Moor Educational Publishers. There she continued to create teacher and student resources, many of which are used in today’s classrooms worldwide.
Jo Ellen was a world traveler and was able to fulfill her life-long dream of visiting all seven continents. She was a volunteer, an avid reader, loved visiting with family and friends, and enjoyed the outdoors, especially through daily walking and gardening.
Jo Ellen is greatly missed by her surviving family: Sister Janice Moore McRoy (Cliff) of North Carolina; nephew Will McRoy (Pat) of Indiana; niece Lara Shields of North Carolina; and four great-nephews and nieces (Jakob, Matthew, Grace, Molly) of North Carolina.
To commemorate her love of tea parties and Beatrix Potter, Evan-Moor Educational Publishers held a Celebration of Life Tea Party at their offices in Monterey, CA. Many lifelong friends and colleagues were in attendance, surrounded by her life’s work.