Obituary of JoAnn Osborn Rowe

Born May 9, 1924, in Colorado Springs, Jo Ann Osborn Rowe lived life to the fullest until May 13, 2019. She had just celebrated her 95th birthday. Jo Ann challenged convention and discrimination as a radio and television broadcaster from 1950-1976, raising four children, all born before her thirtieth birthday. Known as Colorado's Queen of Conversation, Jo Ann was the first female host on radio in Colorado Springs, and a pioneer of call-in radio and television programs with guests that included politicians, diplomats, and world-renowned celebrities. Jo Ann's interest in politics led to her decision to move to Washington, DC, as a White House Correspondent, observing and reporting on Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, GHW Bush, Clinton, and GW Bush until she retired to Las Vegas in 2008. She received national recognition for her PBS television program "Inside the White House" with Helen Thomas, Sarah McClendon, and Betty Beale and published her memoir "Not for Public Consumption" in 2017. Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband Prentiss Eldon Rowe and is survived by her children Carl Osborn (Dale) Rowe, Prentiss Tomblin (Beverly) Rowe, Melanie Ann (James) Richardson, and David Lee (Elizabeth) Rowe, her grandchildren Stefanie (Benjamin) Reed, Emily (Rod) Biehl, Shannon Mawson, Erin (Nathan) Hesser, Carlye Rowe, Allison (Allen) Kopp, Taylor (Martin) Miller, Christa Spencer, Schuyler Jourdan Rowe, and Thomas Prentiss Rowe, and seven great-grandchildren. She will also be greatly missed by her special friend, George McCormick. A small memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, May 18, at Sienna Hills Assisted Living in Henderson, followed by interment with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery later in the year. Donations in her name may be made to Colorado College/NPR Affiliate KRCC or the Alliance for Women in Media.