Jo Ann Begin Knowlton died on December 31, 2013.

Jo Ann was born on August 6, 1950 at the Damariscotta Memorial Hospital as the youngest child of Gertrude and John Begin of Lobster Cove Road, Boothbay Harbor. She lived most of her life in Boothbay, but spent two years living in Homer, Alaska.

Jo Ann married Larry Knowlton on September 18, 1976 and together they raised their two children, Alyce (Reese) A. Davis and Nicholas J. Knowlton.

As a child, Jo Ann enjoyed skating on Little Bennett and Pat’s ponds and picnics on Damariscove Island. She also enjoyed shopping and dining out, girls' card night, first of May parties, family Christmas Eves and making candy at Christmas, apple picking, cooking and canning, reading, traveling with Larry (except for the flights), laying by the pool, chilling in the sun room and hanging out with friends. She truly loved to mow their lawn and care for their gardens.

She was a self-employed painter for 30-plus years and enjoyed not only the work but especially the people that she met along the way. She was a selfless person and would do anything for anyone. Their home was always open and always had plenty of food. It didn’t matter what time of day or night, you were always welcome.

Jo Ann was predeceased by her parents, Gertrude Pinkham Begin and John “Old Horse” Begin; her sister, Johnna Alyce Begin; and her brother, Charles Robert Begin.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Larry; her daughter, Reese and her husband Andrew; her son, Nick and his fiancé Cari Tilley; her cousin, Tamara “Toota” Peters; grandchildren, Vanessa and Riley, and the extended Begin and Knowlton families, and her numerous close friends.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. G. Richard Polkinghorn and Dr. Glenn Healey and their group at Harold Alfond Cancer Center, Dr. Raphael Beuno and his group at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Center, St. Andrews Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility, St. Andrews Emergency Department, Dr. Alan Barker and his group at the Family Care Center, Midcoast Senior Health Bodwell Unit, and Augusta Maine General Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Brigham and Women’s Hospital Development Office, 116 Huntington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116 in memory of Jo Ann Knowlton. Donations will be directed to the Cancer Research and Treatment funds.

At Jo Ann’s request, on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014 from 2 to 6 p.m. there will be a celebration of life at the Opera House, Boothbay Harbor.