Jo Ann Steck, an award-winning photo editor, passionate educator, and avid pickleball player in her "retired" life, passed away at her home in Port Orange, Florida. She was 73. Above all else, Jo was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, partner, mother, and friend to anyone fortunate enough to cross paths with her, personally or professionally.

Born in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to Robert and Betty (Clark) Steck, Jo displayed a natural athleticism from a young age. A graduate of Hershey High School, she excelled in swimming, basketball, softball, and track, earning recognition as a standout in multiple sports.

Jo's illustrious career in photojournalism spanned over three decades, taking her from the bustling newsrooms of The New York Times and The Associated Press to the halls of the White House. She studied journalism with a concentration in photojournalism at Arizona State University and began her career at AP Los Angeles in 1980 as a supervisor and held significant positions and assignments before moving on to edit photos for The New York Times. Her keen eye and leadership guided coverage of some of the most consequential events of the late 20th century.

As Director of Photography at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Jo led coverage of the 1989 World Series and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, for which her team won numerous honors, including the cover of 15 Seconds, the Great California Earthquake of 1989. At The Orange County Register (1994-1998), Jo spearheaded the transition from analog to digital photography. As Deputy Director of Photography at The Dallas Morning News, she led a team of award-winning news photographers, who earned a Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography in 2004 for coverage of the Iraq invasion.

From 2005 to 2008, Jo served as the White House Deputy Director of Photography under President George W. Bush. Her role was significant as she preserved 43's presidential history, photo editing the visual archive of his presidency. She also served as an archive's specialist at the George W. Bush Presidential Library, where she was responsible for preserving vital audio-visual records, ensuring that moments of national significance for Bush's presidency would be accessible for generations to come. Jo returned to Washinton D.C., in 2018 for nine months as Acting Chief of Operations in the White House Photo Office.

Jo saw a lot throughout her career, profound joy, unspeakable tragedy, deep heartbreak. The weight of what she encountered took its toll, yet she faced her inner struggles and challenges with courage and resilience. She was a fighter.

Beyond the newsroom, Jo was passionate about teaching and sharing her photography acumen with others. She shared her expertise and stores as an adjunct instructor at UCLA, Southern Methodist University and the Corcoran College of Art and Design, inspiring a generation of aspiring photojournalists with courses in photojournalism.

She enjoyed taking her own photographs in her free time, volunteering to cover friends and relatives' sporting events, working miracles with senior pictures, and making the dreaded headshot not quite so bad. Even when together with family, she was always behind the lens, documenting for others. A picture with her in it is a treasure.

In her later years, Jo moved to Florida to be near family. She worked as a Certified Pharmacy Technician at CVS Health in Port Orange, Florida, where she made friends with customers who came in to fill their prescriptions and advocated for their healthcare needs. When she wasn't working, she could be found on the pickleball court. That became her passion. She was known to stay up until midnight to reserve a court, as the sport was extremely popular in her area.

Those who knew Jo can attest that she had "an aura about her". She moved around a lot for work, but no matter what street she called home, the whole neighborhood knew who she was. Jo was a connector, and everyone wanted to be part of her world. When you were in her presence, she made you feel like you were the only person in the room, giving you her full attention, with the most incredible warmth. She was giving, funny, creative, and deeply loving. Jo's quick wit and joyful spirit lifted those around her, and her creativity shone in everything she touched, from photographs to the way she cared for others.

Jo will be loved and missed by so many. She is preceded in death by her sister, Catharine Rossman. She is survived by her partner, Susan Matthews and son, Eddie; her four brothers – Robert (Barb) Steck of St. Augustine, FL, Steve (Nives) Steck of Ponce Inlet, FL, Andy (Eileen) Steck of Chester, VA and Matt (Elizabeth) Steck of Harrisburg, PA; brother-in-law Bob Rossman of Eureka, IL; and a slew of nieces and nephews who adored her.