April 26, 1949 - April 15, 2009

Jo Cecelia Kau, 59, of Albany passed away Wednesday at Salem Hospital due to complications of diabetes and heart disease.

She was the second of three daughters born to Richard and Cecelia (Bea) Shollenberger in Baker City. She was named after the character Jo, in the book "Little Women."

She lived most of her childhood in Florence where she spent many memorable years fishing, swimming and skiing on Mercer Lake. In adulthood, this love of the outdoors carried over into her abundant garden and love of flowers. She was known to adopt all strays that came her way and especially loved her dog, Karma.

In her teen years she lived in the Dallas/Monmouth area, graduating from Central High School in Independence. Following graduation she attended beauty school in Eugene. She will be remembered by her regular clients at Albany's Perfect Look hair salon. Jo began as a stylist in the former location on Jan. 28, 1976, and retired as its manager at the present location on Jan. 31, 2006, due to her health.

She married Mervin Kau of Elmira.

She is survived by her parents, Richard and Bea of Salem; children Amie Brown and Randy Shollenberger of Albany and Terry Kau of Talent; sisters and their husbands, Pam and Dave Jensen of Albany and Ann and Bill Steinmetz of Salem; and seven grandchildren.

It was her request that her family release her ashes to her childhood playground, Mercer Lake.