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© The Chickasha Express-Star Chickasha, Oklahoma 2 June 2005 Josephine Olive Johnson Hackett Mrs. Hackett, a homemaker, civic leader, and longtime resident of Bella Vista, AR, died on February 22, 2005, at a local hospital. Independent, until she began to weaken in the last three days of her life, she maintained her own home, plus two pets, with a unique combination of energy, determination, a wonderful mind, and well-honed faith. "God just strung me together right," she always said. Known as "Jo" Josephine Olive Johnson Hackett was born August 17, 1904, in Indian Territory, Oklahoma, in the small town of Chickasha. Her life spanned 100 years and 6 months of remarkable living. She was named for her grandmother, a woman with great southern charm and inner courage, who survived, as a baby, the burning of Atlanta in the Civil War. Early on Jo had the desire to accomplish a lot with her life. As a little girl, she frequently helped her dad, Ben F. Johnson, a rancher and banker, round up his whiteface cattle, while riding her Indian pony bareback across the prairie. At age 12, she learned to play golf and became the youngest Oklahoma Consolation Champion; she continued to love the game of golf. When she was 15, she bravely traveled to New York City, where she attended Miss Finch School. Then, in 1929, she received a BA degree in music from the University of Oklahoma where she was also prosident of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. Jo's mother was Mary Alexander Olive. Jo had one sister, Mary Lee Johnson Gribi. Jo was one-eighth Chickasaw Indian and very proud of that heritage. Hearing family stories of the Trail of Tears helped shape her belief that any hardship could be overcome. She developed great inner strength, combined with a big heart for others. Her 'can do' spirit was always accompanied by her kind manner and beautiful smile. Her positive outlook, her warm loving nature, touched hundreds of people throughout her life, including her surviving offspring - Josephine, her only child, her three grandchildren, Nelly, Matthew, and Mary, and her three great grandchildren, Hanna, Teo, and Anastasia Josephine, as well as her niece, Mary Jo Pettit, and numerous cousins. She was a natural-born leader, serving on many civic boards in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she and her deceased husband, Arch F. Hackett, lived from the beginning of their 55 year marriage in 1932 until their retirement in 1975 to Bella Vista, Arkansas. Those Tulsa organizations included The Junior League, Philbrook Art Center Auxiliary, Garden Club, Children's Day Nursery, Town Hall, and Gilcrease Museum. Jo also had a very successful career in real estate. In Bella Vista where she lived for the past 30 years, Jo continued to find interesting projects to which she could offer her leadership skills and energy. She was a charter member of the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista and the founder of the Bella Vista Living Memory Garden. Jo was recognized as a "Bella Vista Treasure," named Outstanding Citizen of the Village in 1988. Last year she was made a honorary lifetime member of the Bella Vista Garden Club. She was also a member of the 18-Hole Lady Golfers and played gold until the age of 95. Her daughter, grandchildren, great grandchildren, niece and cousins will greatly miss her. She was devoted to her family; they meant everything to her. They will always remember her caring about them and for them, loving them so much, and continually encouraging them. She was their biggest fan and cheerleader. Jo especially liked making her famous toffee candy, yet cooking anything delighted her. She loved giving parties. She sewed beautifully; she gardened; she loved working creatively with her hands. She adored animals, watched sports on TV, and even liked to bet on the Kentucky Derby. At age 97, she and her daughter attended the Kentucky Derby and she bet on the winner, Charismatic, and even got a hug and kiss from Pat Day, a winner himself among jockeys. She just plain enjoyed living every one of her days to the fullest. She added a special, sweet blend of "life" to Life itself. The celebration of Jo Hackett will be held at the Bella Vista Presbyterian Church, 1880 Forest Hills Blvd., on March 3, 2005 at 3 p.m., with Reverend Jim Still officiating. Viewing will take place at the Bella Vista Funeral Home, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., between 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on March 2nd. A private burial will be on March 4, at 2 p.m. in Chickasha, OK, at the Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bella Vista Living Memory Garden, c/o Wanda Schrader, 2 Lois Lane, Bella Vista, Arkansas 72715 or to the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, 1880 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Arkansas 72715. |