Jo Ann Preston

MOHAWK – Mrs. Jo Ann Preston, age 89, a lifelong Mohawk Valley resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, August 31, 2024, in the privacy and comfort of her bed.

Born in Mohawk on December 25, 1934, Jo Ann was the daughter of the late William Knout and Florence Brooks. She was raised and educated locally, graduating from Mohawk High School.

In 1954, Jo Ann was married to the late LeRoy S. Preston and they spent sixty-three years together until LeRoy’s passing in August of 2017. Jo Ann worked for various places throughout the years, but her last employment was with the ARC in Ilion where she was a sewing supervisor for the people she
served. It was her favorite job and she spoke of many fond memories.

Her hobbies included: sewing, painting and drawing. She loved to write poems and short stories. She also enjoyed telling stories about her life experiences.

Jo Ann spent her early years in retirement at her camp at Funda’s Bluff on Hyde Lake in Plessis, NY. Her family was often around and she spent time enjoying their visits. She was a quiet and soft-spoken woman. She was strong and worked hard raising her large family. She was very proud of her children and the families they raised of their own.

Jo Ann is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Jody and Tim Hill of Henderson, NY, Michelle and Mark Ashford of Aberdeen, Maryland and Donna Preston-Keyser and Curtis Armstrong of Bowdon, Georgia; her sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Penny Preston of West Winfield, NY, Gary Preston
and Debbie Comstock of Dolgeville, NY, Kevin and Debbie Preston of Ilion, NY, Brad and Maria Preston of Mohawk, NY and Robert Preston of Cold Brook, NY; her daughter-in-law, Pamela Preston of Mohawk, NY; her half-sister, Kathy Vandawalker; her stepbrother, John Weber; along with many grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Aside from her parents and husband, Jo Ann was predeceased by her son, Mark Preston, on December 3, 2020.

Jo Ann’s family will gather to commemorate her life in a graveside service to take place on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 12:00 NOON at Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer, where her earthly remains will be laid to rest with her husband, LeRoy. All are invited to attend. Following services a Celebration of Life will take place at the Mohawk Legion.

The Preston family has entrusted the care of their beloved mother to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000, Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate funeral directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com .