Strong & Resilient: These are two of the many words that can be used to describe Jo Tucker

If it were not for her pure optimism, energy and her amazing outlook on life, the challenges Jo Tucker has faced would have been almost impossible to overcome. Instead, these same qualities, along with her personal resolve and love for family, have enabled her to endure every hardship life has tried to throw at her.

Jo grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, with four brothers and two sisters. In spite of the immense time she devoted to caring for her younger siblings before and after school, Jo always excelled academically. She received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Michigan and became a teacher in the local Head Start Program.

Later, she pursued her passion to become a healthcare professional, receiving a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy and later becoming a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). Jo had a long, successful career. She recently retired and is now enjoying her free time, her hobbies and, above all else, her two young granddaughters, Olivia and Hazel.

Nothing could stop Jo from becoming the family anchor. She adores her husband, son, siblings, daughter-in-law and granddaughters, and they feel the same about her. They know her love and support is unconditional.

She has always been a great role model; a devoted wife, mother and grandmother willing to make any sacrifice for her family.

Possessed with a wonderful sense of humor and a deep, heartfelt laugh that brings a smile to the face of anyone who hears it, Jo is a continuous source of goodness and optimism to friends and family. She always wants what is best for everyone and is happiest when helping others. That’s always clear to anyone who knows her. 

“My sister Jo has been my best buddy for literally as long as I can remember,” Jo’s brother Tommy said.

Jo is Tommy’s big sister who has always looked out for him. She took him to many places and events growing up, and he feels fortunate to have experienced all the movies, concerts and everything in between with her.

“I remember Jo used to be so shy when we first met back in 1981″, her husband Tom said. “For some reason, our son Alex is the exact opposite. Even when Alex was only 4 or 5 years old, he would quickly reach out to anyone nearby. He was a natural comedian and politician; an up and coming replacement for David Letterman on late night TV. Whether Jo liked it or not, there was going to be conversation with Alex by her side. Jo got through her shyness thanks to Alex.”

Alex helped his mom get through her shyness and, in turn, Jo helped Alex get through many things in his own life. She is a wonderful mother with a whole lot of love to go around, and she is the reason Alex is the successful, loving husband and father he is today.

Jo has spent much of her life teaching others.

“Jo was always a reader,” her brother Tommy said. “It didn’t surprise me when she became a teacher and later a therapist. She was always teaching me things and helping me from birth.”

From The Hobbit to Lord of the Rings, Jo helped create a world full of imagination for her brother. She was able to do the same for her students. She always taught them that they can achieve anything they put their mind to.

Jo’s greatest achievement in life, however, was having her son Alex, and this is not only because of how absolutely extraordinary she is as a mother, but because of what she went through to bring him into this world. Shortly after she and Tom got married back in the late 80s, Jo developed kidney disease and experienced progressive kidney failure. She was turning white as a ghost with each passing day, and she was left with limited options to cure her disease.

To make matters worse, she was told she could never bear a child. 

“We went to the nephrologist and he told us she could never get pregnant,” Tom said. “We were told a pregnancy was out of the question. She was as despondent as I’d ever seen her. Then she turned to me and said she wanted a second opinion.”

The second opinion came from a wise, older obstetrician who recognized the love, kindness and determination in Jo’s eyes. He looked at her and said, “You will be a wonderful mother. If you’re pregnant within the next six months, I promise you it will all work out. It won’t be easy, but we’ll make it happen for you. You deserve this opportunity.”

Roughly a year later, Alex was born one-month premature. After spending a week in the NICU, Alex came home as healthy a baby as his Mom and Dad could ask for.

Soon after Alex was born, Jo received a kidney transplant from her younger sister Patty. Patty, who was a five out of five genetic match with Jo, jumped at the opportunity to donate her kidney to her sister. She knew Jo would do the same for her had the roles been flipped.

“Jo received her kidney from her younger sister Patty,” Tom said. “They are best friends. They’re very, very close. Patty’s kidney has been functioning perfectly for Jo since the transplant took place almost 35 years ago.”

Jo is close to all of her brothers and sisters.

“Jo has always been there for me, when we lived at home, as well as at the end of the phone, no matter how far or long I was astray,” Tommy said. “She is the most reliable and compassionate friend anyone could ever hope for or imagine. She’s so generous.”

Jo is always looking out for others. She cares deeply about her friends and family. She is a tough, resilient woman who is so full of strength.

Her family wants her to know that, with each passing day, they appreciate her just as much as the day before. They are all super grateful for the woman Jo is, and they are glad to have her in their corner in this life.

“Jo knows how much everyone cares for her. Everyone appreciates her warm personality; her sacrifices and putting others before her. I’m also grateful she’s a pretty doggone good cook. She’s overcome so many challenges in her life and I’m honestly in awe of what she’s done and how she has stayed positive through it all.” – Tom

Woman with superpowers walks among mere mortals!

By Alex Heidtke

Josephine Tucker, a local woman living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has attempted to disguise herself as “a normal person” for decades. Those around her have simply accepted her powers as a random miracle. But as her legend grows and the years go by, it is clear that it is more than simple luck or random miracle.

Josephine (Jo) is a woman whose kindness and willingness to help others knows no bounds. If it means she can help, she will almost certainly offer her time at the drop of a hat.

Most know varying levels of kindness in their own lives, but Jo is different. Hers is a genuinely limitless well of impossible patience and compassion. She is renowned for bringing positivity to others and is remembered by all that have had even the tiniest interactions with her. She effectively doesn’t know how to give a bad first impression.

“I just don’t get it. How can one person be that incredible?” one person stated after meeting her for the first time.

Many believe that Jo may actually be a number of local masked heroes known by different names and suits. She is assumed to be the alter-ego of “Super Mom,” ”Wonder Wife” “Fantastic Friend” and most recently “The Green Gramma,” a famous hero known to Olivia and Hazel Heidtke for her tiaras, tea parties, sun hats and shaving cream extravaganzas!

If she is all of those heroes, it wouldn’t surprise anyone. She is incredible. Everyone knows it, and some of us believe she may genuinely have superpowers.”

While many learn from her, grow because of her, and try to be like her, there simply isn’t another one like her on this planet. Her powers are likely the result of some kind of chemical spill or magical amulet.

In any case, she is indeed super. Power like hers just seems unfathomable.

She’s incredible and I’m lucky to have her as a mom. She makes everyone around her better, even on her toughest days. She is Jo Freaking Tucker, a rare gem on this Earth that we all are lucky to have.