Jo Marie RaGusa, a faithful Catholic fortified by the sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, was called home to Heaven by our Holy Father on January 14, 2018. Visitation will be 9 a.m. with the Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 10113 E. Lexington, Independence MO 64053. Burial will take place at Mt. Saint Mary's Cemetery in Kansas City, MO.

Jo Marie was born to Rose and Anthony RaGusa on October 20th, 1945 in Kansas City, MO, the youngest of four daughters. She graduated from St. Michael's Catholic Grade School and Glennon High School, before attending Avila College and UMKC in pursuit of her life commitment to education.

Jo Marie spent a career that spanned more than four decades as a dedicated teacher. While teaching in the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Jo Marie taught at St. Steven's Catholic School, St. Vincent's Catholic School, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Holy Family Catholic School and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School, including serving as Principal of Our Lady of Americas Catholic Grade School in Kansas City. After retiring from the Catholic Diocese, Jo Marie continued teaching with the Kansas City Public School District at Nowlin Middle School, including working in the school library as librarian and reading mentor. Jo Marie was committed to both educating her students and providing them with positive values to live by.

A lifelong Catholic, Jo Marie was proud to proclaim her faith, and her Italian heritage. She was a member of the Cursillo and The Legion of Mary in St. Ann's Parish. She was a prayerful person, always recognizing the special intentions and needs of others. She always prayed for the unborn, her family, the Church, the United States and all those who were sick and in need. She was a strong advocate for the National and Missouri Right to Life Organizations which she supported through prayer, education, and donations. Putting others before herself, Jo Marie would help feed and cloth the homeless and disadvantage of Kansas City by making sandwiches, hot drinks, and providing gloves and warm hats to those living on the streets. She also acted as an advocate for the developmentally disabled and challenged through the Special Neighbors of Independence, MO, providing support, transportation and friendship to those who otherwise may have had no one.

Jo Marie always loved entertaining and found great joy in decorating for every holiday. She enjoyed traveling, working in her gardens, going to the casino boats, and living with her two best friends, her dogs Oliver and Angel. She especially enjoyed working with her sister, Nancy, whether it was running the canteen at Starlight Theatre for actors and staff or managing their own antique business.

Jo Marie was preceded in death by her loving parents, Anthony and Rose RaGusa, her sister, Nancy RaGusa, and her brother-in-law, James Day. She is survived by her sisters Connie (RaGusa) Haggerty and Antoinette (RaGusa) Day, her brother-in-law Gary Haggerty, and her 21 nieces and nephews and their (15) spouses, 59 great-nieces/nephews, and 12 great-great-nieces/nephews. While her passing will leave a hole in the hearts of her loved ones, her family finds peace in knowing her joy at being reunited with her parents, her sister, Nancy, her brother-in-law, James Day, and her beloved dogs, as well as Our Heavenly Father.

The family of Jo Marie RaGusa would like to thank all those who provided her with care and kindness over the years. They would also like to give a special thank you to Dr. Cosmo Caruso.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests Masses dedicated for Jo Marie RaGusa.  Donations may be made to EWTN 5817 Old Leeds RD, Irondale L 35210; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.