Jo Kirkpatrick

Jo Ann Kirkpatrick, age 71 of Franklin, Tennessee died on Sunday, January 1, 2017, after a valiant fight with ovarian cancer. Her strong will to live and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through. Jo Ann was born on June 23, 1945 in Indianapolis, Indiana the daughter of Joseph Moran and Rosemary Kutzner, step-daughter of Robert Kutzner, and the oldest of three siblings, brother, Jerry Moran and sister, Karen Rutkowski.She put herself through college and graduated at the age of 37 with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. She worked for Allison Transmission in Indianapolis and then moved to Franklin, TN in 1983 with the opening of the new Saturn manufacturing plant. She was a leader and a pioneer in a field of primarily men. Her strong-willed nature and drive were the keys to her success.After retirement, she enjoyed spending winters with David in Arizona where she enjoyed the friendships in her community, singing in the choir, learning and teaching her passion of painting. She has created a beautiful personal collection of art which she has shared with family and friends. She developed wonderful friendships in Fifty Forward, at the Bellevue YMCA, where she played cards and participated in art classes. She shared her talents in the community and taught seniors how to knit at The Lodge. She was sweet, thoughtful and caring.She was our rock and our foundation. She was the cornerstone of our family. She will be missed terribly. Yet we are grateful for the example she set and the legacy she leaves behind, a family of strong independent men and women. We love you Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend.She is survived by her husband, David Kirkpatrick; daughter, Robin Taylor; grandchildren, Taylor Marie Harris and spouse, Marshall Harris, Kaycee Lynne Harris, and Samuel Michael Harris; and great-grandchild, Olivia Marie Harris.A memorial service will be held at 1 P.M., Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 525 Sneed Road, Nashville, TN 37221. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the church for family and friends.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alive Hospice by visiting (.