Johanna Engelsman McDonald, 72, a longtime resident of Huntsville, passed away on March 12, 2015 after a brief illness. Jo was born in Baton Rouge and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, the daughter of John C. and Una Engelsman. As a child, Jo began to cultivate a love of reading that endured throughout her life. She was an honor graduate of Bolton High School in 1960. Always a top student, she graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1963 with a degree in mathematics. While at college, Jo met her future husband, Dr. Clyde McDonald. They were married in 1963 and lived in New Orleans where Jo worked as a middle school math teacher to support the family. They soon moved around the country with the Army, first to Indiana and later to Texas.
The young family, now with two children, moved to Huntsville in 1975 to start a medical practice. Jo worked as a math tutor and managed the finances for the medical practice and later, an oil and convenience store business. She volunteered many hours helping at her children’s school, Monte Sano Elementary. Jo enjoyed speaking with people all over the world using Ham radio, and became one of the first women in Alabama to earn the most advanced level of Ham radio license. Later in life, Jo touched the lives of many people through her role as a counselor with the Beginning Experience support group.
A world traveler, she especially enjoyed an extended stay in France, where she honed her watercolor painting skills. Her artwork has been shown in several galleries around Huntsville. She worked tirelessly as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the Friends of the Library.
Jo found a new love in her life when she met Glenn Nettleton. They shared an interest in computers, and Jo soon joined him as a technology instructor with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UAH. She also enjoyed lively discussions with her Sunday school class at Valley United Methodist Church.
Jo always liked meeting and talking with new people and was a friend to everyone she met. She loved to entertain and enjoyed an active social life, frequently hosting gatherings of friends at her home on Monte Sano. She found much joy in supporting and actively participating in each of her children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
Jo is survived by her children Kelly McDonald of Huntsville and Tom McDonald of Austin; daughter-in-law, Emily McDonald; grandchildren, Sage and Lexie Jordan, Lydia, Joanna, and Audrey McDonald; brother, the Honorable John D. Engelsman of Baton Rouge; nephews, Greg and Alex Engelsman; and her dear friend Glenn Nettleton.
On Saturday, March 21, a visitation will be held at 1 pm at Valley United Methodist Church in Huntsville, AL, immediately followed by a memorial service at 2 pm. The service will be conducted by Rev. Sherry Birney and Rev. Tim Tatum.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jo’s honor to the Friends of the Library, at www.hmcpl.org/friends.
