Joanna Liggett

Joanna May Liggett, 85, of Circleville passed away on November 11th, 2025. Jo was born at Berger Hospital on August 15th, 1940 to David and Mary Goldschmidt in Circleville, Ohio. She graduated from Circleville High School in 1958 and from The Ohio State University in 1962. Jo was the first female computer programmer for the State of Ohio. She then worked for Circleville City Schools as a teacher and librarian aide. After taking time off to raise her five children, Jo earned her Master of Library Science degree from Kent State University in 1993 and worked as a librarian for Pickaway-Ross Vocational School Adult Education and for the Tri-County Career Center. She volunteered for the Historical Society, Ted Lewis Museum, Genealogy Library, Son of Heaven: Imperial Arts of China exhibit, as well as other community organizations. Jo was a world traveler. She had many memorable trips to Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, and throughout North America.

Jo felt that her greatest accomplishment was her five children and she made them feel loved every day. Her children are forever grateful that she instilled values, encouraged excellence in schoolwork, coached the swim team, drove the original Circleville High School soccer team to their matches, drove the cross-country team to their races, and supported them in countless other ways throughout her life.

Jo’s favorite holiday was Christmas. She loved to travel to the Christmas Markets in Europe. She enjoyed crafting her own decorations and cards. Jo made the Christmas Season magical for her family.

Jo loved the Circleville Pumpkin Show. She volunteered in the Pumpkin Show Souvenir Booth for many years. Jo was essential in the successes of the Liggett pumpkin patch and named the pumpkins for 32 years. In 2006, Jo published A Year By Year History of the Circleville Pumpkin Show – years 1903 -1928. She published a second volume containing the years 1929-1938.

If Jo had to choose between sweets and The Ohio State Buckeyes, sweets would lose – but it would be a narrow margin. Bob and Jo faithfully attended games in The Shoe every season since graduating in 1962. Some of Jo’s last words were “I -O” in response to “O-H” when The Buckeyes scored a touchdown against Purdue.

Jo is preceded in death by her parents and twin sister Florene Daugherty. Jo is survived by her husband of 63 years Dr. Robert Liggett; children Erinne (Kevin) Baughn, Eric (Michelle) Liggett, David (Katrina) Liggett, Caroline (Erik) Stevens and Daniel (Shonda) Liggett; grandchildren William (Alyssa), Zachery (Selena), Jordon (Joey), Jenna (Yoad), Isabella, Christine, Chase, Caroline, Tristen, Brendan, Madison, and Archer; and great-grandchildren Parker, Carter, Olive, Raegan, and Reid; sister Elaine (Frank) Mace, and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pickaway County Historical Society or the charity of your choice. Visitation will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 10 am till noon with funeral services starting at noon at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville with burial to follow in Hitler Ludwig Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Jo’s care teams at OSU, Berger Hospital, Logan Elm Health Care Center, National Church Residencies Home Health and Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.