Nilda "Jo" Rose Bjork

Born Nilda "Jo" Rose Alvarez, Jo grew up with her family and three siblings, Angel Antonio "Tony" Alvarez, Laura (Alvarez) Knezevich and her baby brother Vincent Alvarez who lovingly stayed in close contact with her throughout her final months. She was always called Nilda at home, but as a young teen she earned the nickname of "Jo" which stayed with her throughout her life.

Jo was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She married Richard Bjork when she was 18 years old and in 1970, she was very happy when his job took their young family to Arizona. She was especially happy for the simpler life her children would have there. Jo worked some enjoyable jobs in her early days but was very fortunate that once she had a family, she could be a homemaker and really be there for her family. Once the children got older, she enjoyed being able to do volunteer work and also joined some clubs that she enjoyed. She also liked to travel and especially enjoyed visiting Europe and the pacific coast beaches.

Jo had many interests and hobbies. She enjoyed doing crafts and especially beading. She made the most beautiful beaded Christmas tree ornaments which she would gift to family and friends. When her kids were grown and Richard's job took them to Toronto Canada for a couple of years, she joined a Canadian curling team and even though it was all new to her, she did very well, and her team won the league championship.  She was very proud of that accomplishment.

Jo especially enjoyed fun things like decorating, shopping, cooking, crafting, and puzzles and games. She liked to play Bingo regularly. She made friends easily and in all things she did, she was always very active and helpful to her clubs and groups. She was president of the Swedish club for some time, and she was a key member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was the kindest gentlest and most generous person. Everyone was always happy to see her no matter where she went or what she was up to. She was a very special soul.

Jo spent her last year in Globe, Az with her daughter and son-in-law, (Joanna and Jimmy Sanchez) where she enjoyed being close to her son Rick and to be able to spend a lot of time with eight of her great grandchildren who always made sure to see her often.

Jo was preceded in death by her older brother "Tony" Alvarez.  She is survived by Richard Bjork of Prescott, AZ, her siblings Laura "Kitty" Knezevich, and her younger brother Vincent “Vinny" Alvarez, and her four children: Robin, Joanna, Rick and Scott).

Jo especially enjoyed shopping or going to bingo or singing Karaoke with her friends or her daughters Robin and Joanna and getting wonderful surprise visits from her son Rick and his lovely wife Nicki. Jo always felt like she had more children because she loved her kids-in-law Jimmy and Nicki as if they were her own. She always felt rich in family and in hugs. Jo has a total of eight grandchildren and many beautiful great grandchildren. One of Jo's greatest joys was having nine of her grands and great grands able to easily see her regularly throughout her last year with us.

If people have to be pure of heart to get angel wings, then it is certain that there is a pair of wings just waiting for "Jo".