Jo Anne Feldstein

Tributes~Jo Anne Feldstein

Jo Anne Feldstein
Download PDF

Photo: 
Date of Birth: 
November 19 1927
Date of Death: 
April 21 2016

Jo Anne Feldstein, 88, grew up in Detroit and moved to New York City where she modeled for more than a decade during the late 1940s and 1950s. "It was the best time," she said. "The war was over, fabric was available, and people had jobs. Everything was good." Following her long, successful modeling career, Feldstein returned to school to earn her master's degree and then went on to pursue her Ph.D. in sociology at the City University of New York (CUNY). She left CUNY with all but her dissertation completed toward her doctorate. Feldstein devoted the second half of her professional life to helping people with addictions through a 23-year career with a substance abuse clinic in New York. Among her clients: author Truman Capote, according to Francoise Darcq, Feldstein’s friend of 53 years.

After Feldstein's husband died, she moved to Missouri to be close to her brother. Following her brother’s death, Feldstein retired to Orlando. She was immediately drawn to the Orlando Public Library. "I love the library so much,” she said. “It's one of the best things about Orlando." Feldstein began volunteering in the Friends of the Library Bookstore in 2006 and continued until she passed away on April 21, 2016. “She loved books and reading and volunteered every week at the library, helping in its third-floor bookstore,” said Jane Poché, a member of the Friends of the Orange County Library System.

Feldstein is survived by son Ben Beecher of New York City, stepdaughter Joan DeSalvatore of Allentown, Penn., and step-son Andrew Feldstein, of Hayes, Kan., five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Place of Birth: 
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Place of Death: 
Orlando, Florida, United States
Primary State of Residence: 
Orlando, Florida, United States

Comments (3)

Jo Anne was a wonderful person, loving, giving and very upbeat spirit, determined to be a bright spot in anyone's life that she encountered. We at the Orange County Library System will miss her very much.

Jo Anne had a wonderful way of announcing her presence before you even saw her: On days she would volunteer at the library she would sing on her way to the bookstore. You could hear her voice well before she even stepped off the elevator. She will be sorely missed.

Jo Anne's sense of humor is what I will miss most about her. As someone who loves a good joke, I will always remember the way she made me laugh. Her vibrancy was something all of us should hope to have as much of at her age. We will miss you terribly, Jo Anne.

Add new comment