Jo D. Ayers

News has been received on the death of Jo D. Ayers, age 86, a resident of Chestnut Hill Rehab. & Seniors Home in East Longmeadow since 2020. Jo D., or many knew her as "J.D.", died on November 8, 2023 from debilitating health over recent months. She had been residing for many years here in the Pioneer Valley and Greater Springfield since moving to Wilbraham in 1978. Born on December 19, 1936 in St. Lawrence County, her hometown was Norfolk in northern New York State up near the Canada border. Joan Doran (today known as J.D) was the eldest of eight children born to Annie & Jack Doran. After high school, she attended nearby SUNY Potsdam State College graduating in 1958 with a B.A. degree in elementary education. Upon marriage that same year to a handsome Clarkson University engineering grad named Stephen Ayers, she began raising their family together. Thereafter, she would state affirmatively that her occupation was housewife and mother (nowadays called being a "stay-at-home mom”) in addition to free-lance artist. She was proud of their five children (Dovima, Sean, Leigh, Celeste, & Noel) who they raised together with immersion in outdoor recreation, health food, arts & cultural experiences. Throughout her journey, she was a lifelong supporter & advocate of fine arts, artists, performing arts, writers & cultural events as well as being an artist herself. Mainly doing watercolor & oil painting, she dabbled in all mediums including printmaking, sculpture, & photography. She liked poetry & had special interest in storytelling and theatre art. She enjoyed participating in group reading of new play scripts. Endearing to her were classrooms of 'tweens school students who she helped as substitute teacher occasionally for decades in Springfield Public Schools. J.D. Ayers was a longtime member and resident artist of Indian Orchard Mills Artist Studios. She certainly will be missed by many friends in the arts circles, not to mention the world at large as well as nearby family & relatives far and wide. Many of us will remember her sarcastic humor and clever witticisms with her sharing of wisdom & practical insights. The family extends condolences and kind sympathy to all who knew our mom, a unique artist friend. New England Funeral & Cremation Center of Springfield has assisted her family during this difficult time. You may visit their internet website for additional information at www.nefcc.net .