Condolences on the Passing of Jo (Joann) Finley Elder
It is with great sadness that we share the news with the Oberlin Shansi community that Jo (Joann) Finley Elder ’51 has passed away. Jo, her beloved husband Joe Elder ‘51, and friend Richard Dudley ‘51, became the first Shansi Representatives in India when they arrived in Madurai, Tamil Nadu by ship in 1951. This launched the Elder family on a lifetime engagement with India. This obituary details Jo’s lifetime of commitment to her family and to promoting social justice.
In October 2021, the Shansi community gathered online for an event celebrating 70 years of partnerships in India. This event was also a celebration of the legacy of Joe and Jo Elder. A good part of the event was devoted to generations of Shansi Fellows and others recalling the impact the Elders had on their lives through mentorship and support, not to mention ice cream socials for Wisconsin language program students at the Elder home every summer.
Jo Elder was remembered in a message to Shansi from lifelong friends John and Anne Elder, who launched Shansi’s engagement in Japan in 1953. They recall that “Our relationship with the Joe Elders - always known by our family as "the other Elders" - has continued to enrich our lives…Two of our children married natives of Madison, so our trips to that city through the decades have usually included a visit with "the Joes" and much sharing of stories, including, of course, Jo's political activism, musical and otherwise. We will miss Jo as we would a member of our own Elder family. We celebrate her amazingly full life. And thanks to the weekly Zoom sessions arranged by Shonti, we hope to continue our engagement with Joe and all the other “other” Elders.”
The thoughts and condolences of the Shansi family are with Joe Elder and the Elder family.
Joe and Jo Elder in 1957 with Shansi Reps Charlie Ryerson '55 and Gail Baker '55.
Jo and Joe Elder at one of Shansi’s 70 years in India celebration events, 2021.