Jo Ellen (Douris) Jacek

Jo Ellen Douris Jacek returned home to our Lord on May 1, 2022 after a long illness. Born on the 7th of April 1930 in Jamaica, NY to Andrew M Douris and Mary Langan Douris,  Jo Ellen was in a sense  a true New Yorker.  She lived in Richmond Hill and Queens Village until 1969 when she relocated to Lake Shawnee, NJ.  

Jo Ellen was a graduate of Our Lady of Wisdom Academy in Ozone Park, NY where she met her best friend Carol Apgar Douris who ultimately ended up marrying her brother, Paul Douris. She furthered her education at The Washington Secretarial School in New York City.  Jo Ellen held several executive positions in various corporations in Manhattan where she took advantage of all the city had to offer. After  moving to NJ she secured an Executive Secretarial Position at Warner Lambert Company in Morris Plains until she retired in 1992.

Jo Ellen was a woman who lived and enjoyed life to the fullest.  She had a passion for the arts including literature, theater , travel and music.  She was a devoted and loving mother to her only child, Mary Jo  who passed in 1995.   Jo Ellen was a longtime member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life.

This was a strong woman of compassion and integrity who loved her family and was always there with a helping hand.   Despite the many challenges that Jo Ellen faced in life she had the happiest of dispositions and always a positive outlook.

Jo Ellen is predeceased by her daughter, Mary Jo , brother, Paul A. Douris Sr. and best friend Carol B. Douris  as well as  nephew Paul A. Douris Jr.  She is survived by her loving and devoted niece and nephews, Richard Douris and his wife Carmela, Michael Douris, and Claudia Douris. Jo Ellen also leaves behind six grandnieces and nephews as well as 6 great grandnieces and nephews. 

This woman was the epitome of love, compassion, strength and courage…she will be missed dearly by all that knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held 10-11:30am on Saturday May 14, at Our Lady star of the Sea Church, 204 Espanong Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ.  A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30am. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations made in Jo Ellen 's memory to Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place Boston, MA 02215, www.joslin.org. would be appreciated.

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