American Contract Bridge League
Unit 484   District 20

Profile

Jo Lopez

(Published May. 2005)

The sweet lady you see slicing portions of cake, spooning cobbler, and cleaning up after bridge sessions in Ashland is Hospitality Chainman, Jo Lopez. Jo is a very active member of the Ashland Board. She has also been responsible for researching and recommending, to the Board, worthy causes for our charity games. Two examples are the Pinel House for retarded adults, and the Hermanos Project for needy Spanish families.

This is not the first time Jo has served on one of our boards. She was Unit President in the late 80's, and she has served three terms on the Ashland Board. Jo was instrumental in setting up procedures, books, bylaws, and insurance for the Ashland Club when there were none.

Jo began life in Indiana. Her family loved to play cards. Back then, the adults played euchre, a game similar to bridge.

Jo completed nurses training in Terre Haute and began a 40 year career in nursing, specializing in obstetrics, pediatrics and anesthesiology. She joined the Navy during the latter days of WW 11 attaining the level of Lieutenant JG. In 1950, she married Louis, and they were married 40 years when he passed away in 1991. The Lopezes enjoyed playing social bridge, but when they retired to Ashland in 1983, they got serious about improving their game. They took lessons from Chuck Burton and formed a foursome with Geof Lewis and Phil Selby, and they joined the ACBL. During the 80's, Chuck Burton promoted stratification in the local games. Jo believes that this was a major step in making the game equitable and giving novices a chance at winning points.

The Lopezes have three children: Carolyn, Susan, and Steven; they have five grandchildren. One of Jo's grandchildren, Melissa, is a volleyball star. Jo's daughter Carolyn is an executive of a Southern California organization that promotes breast feeding to new mothers. Jo's other two children are Ashland residents.

Jo lives with her two beloved dogs, Misha, a miniature terrier, and Molly, a part border collie. In addition to playing lots of bridge, Jo is an avid knitter, knitting blankets, sweaters, and hats for disadvantaged babies. She has a goal of donating sixteen items per year to worthwhile organizations. On top of that, she has taken lessons for forty years in classical piano. At the time of the interview she was headed off to play Chopin at an Episcopal Church function.

Although Jo has well over three hundred master points, she doesn't aspire to earn the gold points necessary to become a life master. However, she is always interested in improving her game. She and Irma Neal have reservations for a bridge cruise to Alaska with Audrey Grant this summer.

The next time I enjoy a snack or fill my cup with brew at an Ashland game, I'll nod to the folks, like Jo, behind the scenes, who help make our games so enjoyable.

Thanks, Jo!

(Return to Profiles)