Joanna Cawley Obituary

Joanna S. Cawley CHARLESTON - Joanna Eunice Hare Swain Roberts Wright Cawley, called Jo, departed on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at an assisted living facility in Charleston, SC. She was 89, brilliant and articulate. Jo is survived by her step-daughter, Marianne Cawley, her two granddaughters, Michele and Teresa Wright, and their mother, Mary Ann Wright, of Elkridge, MD. Jo's two sons, Marc and Christopher predeceased her. She also has five nieces: Jennifer Mallory, Kathryn Walker Smith, Lisa Robyn Walker Joiner, Leslie Elaine Simons and Margaret Jane Simons Sanders. Her sister, Margaret Jane Swain Simons, predeceased her. She has a surviving sister, Molly Pratt and brother-in law, Baird Mallory, of Charleston. Jo was born in Kirksville, MO, but moved with her mother back to Charleston, SC when she was 5 years old. She graduated with honors from Ashley Hall and the College of Charleston(a member of Mensa and Chi Omega). Jo was a lab technician in her college years at the Medical College (now MUSC) and continued in that profession most of her adult life. In her teens she took acting lessons at Dock Street Theatre and Footlight Players and while an ingenue in "The Moon is Blue" she met her first husband, Derek Roberts, a dashing Welshman who was also employed at the Medical College. They moved to Washington, DC and later divorced. She then moved to Richmond, VA, where she met and married yet another actor, Mike Wright, and had a son, Marc. They moved to Baton Rouge, LA then Bloomfield Hills, MI, where their second son, Chris, was born. They later relocated to Buffalo Grove, IL and finally divorced after more than 25 years of marriage. Jo continued her education, receiving her Master's Degree in Library Sciences and became a reference librarian at Indian Trails Public Library, Wheeling, IL. Jo relocated to St. Pete to help care for her father, Harrison R. Swain, who died a few years later. She was employed at the St. Pete Beach Public Library. Her last move was to Charleston. SC to be near her mother, sister and cousins, where she was employed at the Charleston County Public Library until she retired. Jo loved books, theatre, music - all the arts really - and enjoyed her friends and family here. She was an amazing conversationalist and her third husband, William Cawley, married her for her cleverness and entertaining dialogue. They were introduced by his daughter Marianne who was a fellow employee at the County Library. Bill was the absolute love of her life and he passed away, then she endured the loss of her two sons, yet she kept up with her reading and friendships. Jo, ever thrifty from her Scottish genes, donated her remains to MUSC, where she had experienced both love and medical knowledge in her youth. She will be hugely missed by those who loved her wit and charm. Special thanks to Sarah Stapleton her beloved physician of more than 40 years. Thanks also to the caregivers at Revela of Mt. Pleasant. A celebration of life to be held sometime in December when all her girls can assemble in Charleston. Donations may be made to Pet Helpers Adoption Center, 1447 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.