Jo-Ann (Carter) Gatzen passed away on Wednesday, August 17 at Hartford Hospital after a 14 month battle with cancer. She was born on April 24, 1947 in Hartford, and grew up in West Hartford. She graduated from Northwest Catholic and Bay Path Jr. College. She lived in Newington for many years with her husband of 46 years, Robert. Together, they owned Creative Music in Wethersfield prior to retirement. In earlier years, she worked in her family business, Roosevelt Mills in Rockville, CT.

Jo-Ann was a past president of the Farmington Valley Kennel Club, recent treasurer and a lifetime member. She owned champion AKC Tibetan Terriers and a champion Old English Sheepdog. They were dearly loved by her and her husband. She was also a member of the Hartford Obedience Training Club and worked with her dogs to achieve performance titles.

Besides her husband, she leaves her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bernie and Pat Gatzen, sisters-in-law Irma Carter and Elizabeth Gatzen, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Joseph and Anna Carter and most recently by her brother John Carter.

There are no calling hours. Funeral services were private for the immediate family. Arrangements were made through Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home in West Hartford.

Donations in her memory are requested to The Tibetan Terrier Health & Welfare Foundation, c/o Kerry Abbott, Treasurer, P. O. Box 724, Warren, PA 16365 or to the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, 85 Retreat Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106.
For on-line condolences please visit: www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.