Jo Marie Lombard

MARTINEZ, GA. - Jo Marie Lombard,59, of Stevens Way, Martinez, GA., entered into rest on Monday, April 27, 2009 at her residence.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 2, 2009 in Platt’s Belair Rd. Chapel with the Rev. Gerald Regan officiating.

Cherished wife of 39 years to Kenneth, devoted mother to Monique Lombard Becker and Aimee Lombard Robert and adored grandmother of Jordan Becker and Adam Becker; much loved mother-in-law of Edward Becker and Christopher Robert. Jo Marie is survived by her parents, Teddy and Clara Premo, Colton, NY, a sister, Renee Premo Kofano, El Paso, Texas, a sister, Sharon Premo Kassamali, Tucson, AZ, a brother, Richard Premo also of Tucson, AZ, a sister, Lynette Premo Patnode of Colton NY and a brother, Stephen Premo of Chicago, IL.

Mrs. Lombard received an Associate of Arts cum laude from Cazenovia College for Women, a Bachelor of Science, cum laude from Syracuse University, and Master of Education from The University of Georgia. Mrs. Lombard was a member of Omicron Nu (Syracuse University) and Phi Kappa Phi (The University of Georgia).

Mrs. Lombard’s career began with a Health, Education and Welfare grant in Syracuse NY where she provided health and wellness screening for disadvantaged children. Her work took her to the Cary Christian Health Center, in Cary, Mississippi where Mrs. Lombard was a nutritionist with the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. She served as the Program Director of Meals on Wheels in Montgomery Co. PA and was later recruited as the Executive Director for the American Red Cross in Frederick, MD and for the past eight years Mrs. Lombard was employed with Columbia County Board of Education in the School Nutrition Department where her initiative made it possible for Columbia County Schools to receive the Best Practice Award for the South East Region, as well as the Best Practice State Award.

Jo Marie and Ken lived and worked in Poland early after the fall of communism and witnessed the induction of Poland into NATO. Having traveled the world together, their favorite place to visit was Tuscany where they enjoyed the beautiful countryside, fine food and, of course, the magnificent wines of Italy.

Mrs. Lombard’s distinguished career was highlighted by her selection as a delegate to the annual world conference of Nobel Laureate Betty Williams held in Vienna, Austria where she spent a week with 350 highly acclaimed women from around the world. The

focus of their work is the impact on children from global conflict and war and the promotion for world peace through the political process. As a strong advocate for the rights of children, Mrs. Lombard gathered with over 300,000 others at the Stand for Children at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Her work with the Children’s Defense Fund and other child advocacy groups have lead Jo Marie to receive numerous awards and honors, and served on many boards of directors, most recently serving as a member of the Columbia County Board of Health.

In lieu of flowers, contributions or donations may be made to the Georgia School Nutrition Association, 2372 Main Street, Tucker, Georgia 30084 or the Children’s Defense Fund, 25 E. Street NW, Washington, DC. 20001 or Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD. 21741.

The family will receive friends with a reception following the memorial service in the Solarium at the funeral home.