The Life & Legacy of Jo Wharton
Jo, second from left in blue, with her Peacemakers crew in front of one of her peace crane installations.
Joan “Jo” Jordan Wharton
October 20, 1931 to July 31, 2024
Kathy Wharton Steele with Amy Martin
We celebrate the life of the amazing Jo Wharton. Surrounded by family and friends, Jo peacefully transitioned on July 31, 2024, at age 92, in Frisco, Texas. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and admired her. Thankfully, Jo is now able to dance and sing, which she loved to do, free of her earthly body’s pain and limitations.
Born in Dallas, Jo graduated from North Dallas High School and then attended Southern Methodist University, where she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In 1958, Jo married John Wharton, also a SMU graduate, and they settled in Richardson and raised two daughters.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband, John Wharton of Dallas, Texas; her beloved daughter, Karen Wharton Ludwick of Plano, Texas; and her parents, Emerson and Rachel Jordan of Dallas. Jo is survived by her daughter, Kathy Wharton Steele of Frisco; her granddaughter, Rachel Steele Bartek and her husband, Mason Bartek of Providence Village, Texas; her son-in-law, James Ludwick, and grandson, David Ludwick, both of Plano; longtime caregiver Lillian Neale; and a myriad of friends and colleagues.
Passionate about social justice, women’s issues, peace, and democracy, Jo spoke up fearlessly for what she believed, even in the face of stern opposition. She worked tirelessly for those treated unfairly by society and government and was featured frequently in the media. She volunteered for many women’s organizations and committees over the years.
A devoted member of the Democratic Party, Jo wanted nothing more than to witness the election of our first female President of the United States. She served the party in various capacities and was known for her dedicated support of female candidates.
Jo’s profound legacy was her efforts to empower women spiritually. Her goddess-oriented group, Woman Circle, met for decades, helping hundreds of women find peace and internal power. She convened annual Mother Maiden Crone retreats for many years to the same effect. Her class, Cakes for the Queen of Heaven, was very popular.
Jo operated a retail enterprise, Rose Window, from her house, supplying goddess icons and imagery that were often difficult for women to find. Because of her community-building prowess, her acolytes dubbed her Spider Woman. Divine feminine archetypes adorned her house and yard.
The divine feminine from Celtic traditions resonated deeply with Jo, with Bridget being close to her heart. She shepherded women on trips to divine feminine sites in Scotland, Ireland, and England. The isles of Iona and Skye captured her heart, as did Bridget’s well and Neolithic ceremonial centers such as Newgrange.
Continuing her female legacy and commitment to peace, Jo was a board member of Peacemakers Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. She helped organize the 3rd International Women’s Peace Conference, held in Dallas in July 2007, which empowered peacemakers through education, action, and communication. The conference included three Nobel Laureates and speakers from around the world. Over 1,300 delegates from 45 countries and 37 U.S. states attended.
Jo was an famed creator of origami peace crane installations featuring intricately folded paper cranes. Eleanor Coerr’s novel Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes inspired her. It was based on the true story of Sadako Sasaki, who attempted to fold a thousand origami cranes while dying of radiation-induced leukemia from the Hiroshima atom bomb. Jo taught hundreds of women and girls how to create the cranes in person or through her website, Cranes Fly For Peace.
The first Tibetan Buddhism center in Dallas, Karma Thegsum Chöling Dallas, came into being because of Jo and thrives to this day. The first services met in Jo and John’s house. She hosted visits of the founding lama, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, and even taught him how to play pool. Weekly regular meditation and Chenrezik practice began in that living room. She was an enthusiastic supporter of Tibetan Buddhist sand mandala creation.
As she aged out of coordinating activities, Jo penned a blog, Grandmother Spider’s Web, where she shared her thoughts and wrote tributes to women she admired, which she called her sheroes.
Though we mourn her loss, we celebrate Jo’s life and the countless ways she touched our hearts. As we say goodbye, let us remember her with love and gratitude. Rest in peace, Jo. We will always cherish you in our hearts.
A memorial service in the spirit of an Irish wake will be held on Saturday, October 19, in Dallas, close to what would have been her 93rd birthday. Use the contact form and leave email to be added to the memorial invite list, or to add a short tribute to her memory book to be given to her daughter and grandchildren. Donations in Jo’s name are encouraged to Planned Parenthood or Emily’s List.
