Johanna “Jo” Pugh
Johanna (Jo) Pugh passed away in her sleep at the Lowthian Hospice Care Center near the home of her daughter Betty Wiese on January 27, 2012, at the age of 94.
She was born Johanna Marie Kray on a homestead in eastern Montana on July 12, 1917, to Dutch immigrant parents, the only daughter after three sons Her parents began homesteading in 1915 on Sarpy Creek near McRae, Montana (about 30 miles from Hardin). Johanna attended the Iron Springs country school. The family moved to a dairy near Hardin in 1924 when she was in elementary school; Johanna took piano lessons and was an avid reader – sometimes trying to do both at the same time!
After she graduated from Hardin High School in 1934, her mother, who always said she would make a lady out of Johanna, sent her to St. Mary’s College in Xavier Kansas – where she majored in music.
She took her first teaching position in Polson in 1938 where she taught elementary and high school music and high school English. For at least one summer she worked on a dude ranch – we don’t know how her mother felt about that! She met, and in 1943, married, fellow teacher Dave Pugh.
Johanna was organist and music director for the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson – playing for Sunday masses and most weddings and funerals for many years. She also taught private piano lessons to generations of Mission Valley budding pianists and was accompanist for many high school band soloists and local musical groups over the years. The Polson High School Band honored her as “Polson’s Mrs. Music” in 1966. She was active in the Polson Library and AAUW. She was a hiker and walker and took two pack trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness when she was nearly 60 years old.
After retirement from a second career in public school music education and then widowhood, Johanna continued to engage actively in life and learning, including travel within the US and abroad – often with Elderhostel (for example, Costa Rica, Nepal, Egypt). She moved to Missoula in 1994, to Eugene, Oregon in 2001, and to Bainbridge Island, Washington in 2011.
Johanna was preceded in death by her husband, Dave Pugh and son, David Pugh. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jo Pugh and her children, Katie and Christopher McCort; daughter, Betty Wiese and her son, Damian; son, Tom Pugh and his wife Julia Rush, son Brian; daughter, Virginia Kelly (Ginger)and her husband Mike Kelly, and their sons, Ben and Joe; and nephews Don and Bob Kray and niece Bonnie Norell.
Services will be held at a later date in Polson, Montana. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Dear Mary Jo, Betty, Tom, Brian and Ginger,
Wonderful memories of Jo come flooding in as I think about the wonderful Jo Pugh. She was instrumental in bringing the Community Concert series to Polson. Conversation just sparkled when she was in the room. She was intelligence, strength and character personified plus she had a fine sense of humor….I remember her telling me at a time I was concerned about what I should have done…”Jeanie, don’t should on yourself”. She was a feminist before we even knew what that was.
My heart goes out to you all.
Please accept my deepest sympathy, Betty and families.
We are sad to learn of the death of your beloved Mom, Jo. So many of her music students loved her and their accomplishments are proof of her care.
I remember sitting in the front room of that wonderful house on 4th, waiting until Mary Pat concluded her time at the keyboard with Jo. Many times she would play a “tune” to indulge my love of the classics. You all are blessed because of Mom – and we are too. +peace, Maureen
My condolences to the entire Pugh family. Jo was truly a wonderful person. Her dedication to music will resonate through many generations to come. I remember being worried about an upcoming music festival and disapointing people. She told me people tend to be harder on themselves than others are on us. She encouraged me to practice (do my work) and focus on being self satisfied; but don’t settle. She told me if I do that, I would be happy and please most everyone else. It helped and I have never forgotten that.
Tom Alexander
Butte, MT
Jo was a very neat person. I still remember being made to feel very welcome at the home in Polson. It must have been quite an impression for me to remember it all these years later. She showed the same respect to the smallest, youngest of children as she did the adults. A lesson I have used all my life. She will be greatly missed.
Ginger & family – your Mom was the BEST! I was so fortunate to have her as my piano teacher. I loved coming to your house every week for lessons. I was always so impressed that your Dad cooked while your Mom taught! All my love to you and your family.
We are so sorry to hear of Jo passing, Our Mother Billie Fleming West passed on May 24,2011 after a long struggle with Parkinson. Jo was so special to all the Flemings, especially to our parents and all the kids who took lessons, while she would tell you kids what to do! She was such a special and talented lady. Our love to you all Joan Fleming Hardie
So sorry to hear of Jo’s death. She was such a presence for all of us and such a gifted pianist and teacher. I always admired her zeal for life and the curiosity that led her to living such a full, active and interesting life. She now rests in the loving arms of God and her helpful influence insures her continued presence here. You are in our prayers for comfort and peace.
Mary Jo, sorry to here of your mothers passing. There comes a time we all must go. Sincerely Charlie Bauer
WOW! What an interesting life Johanna led. She reinvented herself several times, to keep up with the times. In an era when most women were happy to stay home and raise the kids, she was teaching others. Then she turned her travels into a career. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Betty and all of your family, I remember your wonderful Mother fondly. I particularly remember taking piano lessons from her, I don’t think that I was her best student.
My sympathy,
Kathy Gregg Farmer
I was so sorry to hear of Jo’s passing. I took piano from her for many years and majored in music in Spokane at Holy Names College. Now I have taught for many years to hundreds of children and adults. Thanks to her, I have had a great career in music. I was her first student in Polson when she started teaching piano. She will be greatly missed by me and all the lives she touched.
Mary Fleming Weaver
My thoughts and prayers are with your family and with Jo at this time. She was a wonderful music teacher and helped me to be able to sight read music. I remember how she came to our house to make sure I could find Middle C on my piano when I began taking lessons in the second grade. Under her direction, I was able to play the organ at the Immaculate Conception Church in Polson and then, as we moved, have been able to continue playing the organ in our parish churches in Minnesota, Louisiana, South Carolina, and now here in Tennessee. I am thankful to your mother for the gift of music that she gave me that I have been able to share with others.
I am so happy for you all to have had your Mom for 94 years. You will miss her forever, but it gets easier with time. I remember her so fondly trying to help me learn the piano—I never did well but she was so nice to me. She was so gentle telling me that I was wasting my time. Betty and my sister Betty were good friends. I hope all of you have had a great life as you had such good parents.
Finally…the angels have a music teacher worthy of them!
To all the Pugh “kids”… I wanted to let you know that I was so saddened to learn of the passing of your mom. I remember her as a pillar of Polson as I was growing up. My mom enjoyed knowing her through the library and as a fellow lover of books. I extend particular sympathy to Mary Jo, who was a fellow band member of mine in high school. When in Polson, I always asked Brian about how all of you were doing. Charlotte Webb Skofstad
Mary Jo, Betty, Tom, Bryan and Ginger, I always enjoyed being an overnight guest at your home as Mary Jo’s friend. I always admired your mother’s sense of humor, her down-to-earth spirit that managed your complex and busy family life, her travel adventures which she shared with family members, and her inspiring enthusiasm for family, music, and life, We were all lucky to know her.
Tom & Julia, I’m sorry for your loss. Though my interactions with Jo were limited mainly to seeing one another at various concerts around town, to now find out that she was designated “Polson’s Mrs. Music” in 1966 makes perfect sense. Tom, her love of music, the Bob Marshal and Jewel Basin lives on in you.
Betty and family – So sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I remember her as a devoted mother and an excellent teacher of her beloved music. Her patience with her students was truly one of her great virtues.
Love and prayers to you all.
I just heard yesterday (Feb. 26) from Gen Welch that Jo had died, and was so sorry to hear of it. Gen was a mutual friend when we all lived in Polson. Jo and I became good friends during my seven years there. We kept in touch after I left, first by letters or cards and later by phone. Jo and I had much in common–our given names, our Dutch heritage and love of music. Jo was a great person. Your family will have many good memories of her.
Jo Sorkness