To say Jo Asmundsson was passionate about her community and WLRN would be understatement.
Jo was a vivacious woman who committed 27 years to WLRN, beginning in 1990 when she stepped through the front doors to volunteer with WLRN’s Radio Reading Service. She was exceptional, she was dedicated and most importantly, she was family.
She served on the Friends of WLRN Board from 2002 – 2010 and on the WLRN Community Advisory Board from 2010 – 2017. Her last four years were served as Chair. All the while, she continued to dedicate her time working with other volunteers, cutting new articles and reading on air. Her energetic spirit and drive was extraordinary.
Jo came a long way to fulfill her destiny of service to others in this community. She was born and educated in England and earned a degree in nursing, though she discovered she enjoyed and was skilled at investment banking. She worked as an investment banker for 10 years before leaving England.
She traveled the world and lived in the Bahamas before settling in Miami Beach. Jo once said traveling taught her "how to be tolerant and to listen."
Aside from her continued devotion to WLRN, Jo has made quite an impact in her own Miami Beach backyard. She has served on the boards of the Miami Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; Friends of the Miami Public Library System; the Miami Beach Taxpayers Association; the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce; and the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation. She has fought for affordable housing, been involved in the local political scene and cared for seniors who did not have family, offering to take them to doctors appointment and shopping.
Jo was generous by nature and an inspiration to us all. We are grateful for her service and we'll miss her dearly.
