Jo-Ann Elizabeth Avery

Prudence Island, - Jo-Ann ?Josie? Elizabeth Avery, 49, of 16 Browns Lane, Prudence Island, died Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at Miriam Hospital Providence, RI. Born in Belchertown, MA on December 17, 1953, she was the daughter of the late John Winthrop and Mary Rose McKillop Avery.Josie worked in progressively responsible positions in the field of services to people with developmental disabilities since 1977. In recent years she concentrated on developing her skills as an advocate and an administrator. She was the Associate Director of the Ocean State Community Resources, Inc. OSCR, Inc. located in East Providence a provider agency with services throughout the state. Ms. Avery has worked for OSCR, Inc. since 1992. Ms. Avery was also the Human Rights Project Coordinator for the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council, where she developed a curriculum concerning human rights for people with developmental disabilities. To complement her efforts to advance peoples rights, Ms. Avery was an Instructor at the Providence Police Academy, the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, the State Police and the RI Police Chiefs Association. Ms. Avery received her BA in Anthropology from Marlboro College, 1977 and her Ed.M. in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University, in 1985. Prior to working in Rhode Island, she worked for YAI National Institute for People with Disabilities in New York City 1986-1991 and the Staff Development and Training Division of Region I, Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation 1977-1985. Ms. Avery was a very active member of the Prudence Island community. She co-authored the book ?Home At Last?, a narrative of life on Prudence Island. She also belonged to the Friends of Prudence Island School. She was a member of the Prudence Conservancy since its inception in 1987, on the Board of Directors since 1991 and elected Chairperson in 1999. Ms. Avery also was the editor and producer of the Prudence Island Telephone Book, the Ocean State Association of Residential Resources quarterly newsletter, and the Prudence Conservancy annual newsletter. She is survived by her brother Scott D. Avery of Bremerton, WA, her step mother Mary Geddes Avery of Belchertown, MA, two nephews Matthew D. Avery and Joshua T. Avery both of Bremerton, WA, two nieces Sarah Elizabeth Mary Avery and Leah Rose Avery both of Bremerton, WA, two step sisters Karen Sanchez of San Diego, CA, and Carol Letterman of Port Townsend, WA, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2003, at 11:30AM, in the First Congregational Church, 281 High Street, Bristol, RI. Burial will be private. Donations may be made in her memory to the Prudence Conservancy, PO Box 155, Prudence Island, RI 02872, the Southern Poverty Law Center, PO Box 5604, Montgomery AL 36103-5604 or to the Marlboro College, PO Box A, Development Office, Marlboro, VT 05344. Arrangments are by the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth. Information and Directions: www.memorialfuneralhome.com