Jo Ann Infante passed away on September 11 just before noon after nearly ninety two years of showering those around her with love and laughter. Affectionately known as ‘Jo-Jo’ or ‘Jo Mama’ to those who knew her best, she brightened the existence of all who were lucky enough to share life with her.

Jo was born to Marion Eleanor Lukasiak Fischer and Arthur John Fischer on October 9, 1934 in a farmhouse in Gagetown, Michigan. Her mother named her after Jo from Little Women, which was very fitting given that Jo was a self-proclaimed tomboy - always following the men around the farm and playing sports instead of dolls with her sisters. She often talked about how most of her fondest memories took place on that farm where she grew up romping around with her younger siblings: Janice, Sondra, and John.

Like her sisters, Jo graduated from the nursing program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan in 1956. She worked at St. Mary’s as an RN after graduating, where she eventually met her husband, Dr. Aniello (Nello) Infante. Nello immigrated to the United States from his hometown of Pisciotta, Italy shortly before they first met in August 1960. They quickly fell head over heels for one another, attracted by their mutual love of family, music, and humor. They were married in Gagetown on May 6, 1961 and had three children together.

Their time together was cut short after a tragic car accident took Nello’s life on July 20, 1970. Jo was left as a single parent to three young children. In the midst of incredible loss, she maintained a joyful spirit and raised her kids alongside treasured friends and family. Despite intimidating distance and language barriers, her amazing strength and devotion to her husband prompted Jo to brave the eight-day long ocean voyage to Italy multiple times to maintain relationships with their Italian family. Her formidable ability was further proved as she balanced being a single mother with owning her own bookstore, Jo’s Book Nook.

Throughout her life, Jo was guided by a strong faith. She embodied the true spirit of Jesus with her desire to serve and embrace all others, no matter who they were; all were welcomed through her front door and around her table. From her sweet humble corner of Bridgeport she had a clear focus on the whole wide world. She never surrendered the dream of all people learning to live and love together and belong to one another with NO exclusions. The smile with which she would greet the cashier at the grocery store had the same genuine warmth and care she would give to her loved ones. Everyone she met felt instantly at ease and valued. Whenever she was with someone, she gave them her whole attention in a way that communicated that they mattered - that and her innate joy and love of fun attracted everyone to her presence.

Now that Jo has returned home to Heaven, we are sure she is enjoying being united with all her loved ones who preceded her in death, including her parents, her beloved husband Nello and her Italian family (Lina, Franco, and Mario), her sister Sondra, son-in-law Keith, dear friends the Balcuevas, and her treasured best friend Pam. Her life is still being celebrated by her children here on Earth - Lisa Driscoll (David), Tony Infante, and Maria Infante (Allan) - as well as her five grandchildren - Eden (Gwangwon), Mia (John), Olivia (Davon), Grace and Nell - and great grandchild, Lyla.

Please join us for her visitation from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors,5700 Dixie Hwy, Saginaw, MI 48601, where her funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 18, 2026. Rev. Peter Wolf will officiate the service. Please share memories of Jo at the funeral home or by visiting www.casefuneralhome.com.

As most of you know, Jo was an avid sports fan and always had a game on, with a particular fondness for the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Pistons. If you share her love for those teams, feel free to wear their gear to her festivities. The granddaughter writing this is ashamed to say that she did not inherit the same fondness for sports, so I’ll be wearing a cheerful color instead since Jo once told me that she didn’t want people wearing black at her funeral. No matter what you wear, our arms await you.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Saginaw East Side Soup Kitchen (940 E. Genesee Ave. Saginaw, MI 48607, 989-755-3663, essk@eastsidesoupkitchen.org or to the ALS Association www.als.org.