Obituary

Jo Chris Reinert, of Laguna Niguel, California passed away peacefully in her sleep early in the morning of January 28, 2021.

Jo was the beloved (Italian) wife of Gary James Reinert for 48 years.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Jo was the daughter of Charles and Michelina Insalaco and sister to Tom, Carl & James, all predeceased. She is survived by a large and loving family of nieces and nephews and their children in Buffalo NY, California and other US locations as well as many close and loving friends.

Jo attended college at ASU in Phoenix, Arizona and earned her BA in Psychology. After graduation she worked for several doctors and managed a Medical Lab. Jo was also interested in acting and performed in the Phoenix Community Theater. She met Gary on his first night in Phoenix (April Fool’s Day) as he was looking for an apartment, and in the process of transferring from California to take a new job with 3M Company in Arizona.

As the plot thickened, Jo and Gary were married in Mazatlan, Mexico in 1973 surrounded by great friends. They were soon transferred to Pasadena, California and later Minnesota where Jo also worked for 3M Company in the Public Relations Department for 5 years. Another corporate move back to California and they settled in Laguna Niguel, where Jo became a Real Estate Agent with Tarbell Realtors and soon proved herself as a top agent with “Pro 100” recognition. She also served as a Branch Sales Manager at Tarbell for several years.

Jo retired from Tarbell the same year Gary retired from 3M Company so they could focus on their dreams and continued world travel, very often traveling with or visiting dear friends. Jo was always a passionate reader and traveler with adventures taking them to Italy and most of Europe plus Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, Korea, even North America (Buffalo) plus many extended stays in Mexico with family.

Jo had a free, loving and adventurous spirit and she always lit up a room when she entered. She is and will always be the light and love of Gary’s life.

Initially, in these strange times of COVID, a private Celebration of Life with some immediate family members will be held at a favorite and very familiar vacation spot on the tropical beach north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Please feel free to add any special comments and photos to this on-line obituary in celebration and love of Jo’s life.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please give flowers to someone you LOVE.

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42 responses to Jo Chris Reinert

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Cristina Rosenfeld-Bless says:

February 15, 2021

Dear Gary, I am so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy. Jo was an amazing woman. We have great memories of our trip to Brazil in 2003 that we will treasure forever all the great moments! We are here for you. Love, Cris, Mike and Julia

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Garrett Nahas says:

February 15, 2021

Dear Aunt Joe,
Thank you for being such a special person in my life. You and Uncle Gary have always been such an amazing couple to look up to when my brothers and I were little kids but also to see the love you have for each other, helped shape the love that we sought and found is our own lives.

I will truly miss your uncanny way of showing absolute care and compassion while still laying down the law.

Thank you for being such a wonderful aunt, wife, daughter in law, and sister in law to those that I hold so dear to my heart.

When I think of your passing it immediately brings tears to my eyes, but when I remember my life when you were here, I can’t help but smile.

I love you and will always remember my Aunty Jo.

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Jan Nahas says:

February 15, 2021

Dear Jo.
I can’t believe that you are gone from us. Randy and I were so looking forward to our annual escape to Mexico with you and Gary. We have so much fun together. I will cherish those memories on the beach, good food, shopping together and French braiding your beautiful hair. It won’t be the same without you. We will take care of Gary and hopefully relieve his loss if only just a little. You leave a big hole to fill. You were a sister I never had. You were always so generous to me with thoughtful gifts and girl time. I’m so thankful we came to visit you in December. I will miss your presence in my life.
Your Loving Sister-in-Law, Jan

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Lauren Nahas says:

February 15, 2021

Jo was a wonderful “aunt-in-law” to me. I will miss her feisty, tell-it-like-it-is commentary on Jan and Randy’s gigantic gaggle of children and grand-children. I’m sure we amused her to no end. She always had a big smile, a huge hug, and often some thoughtful gift for my boys. I’m so sorry for your loss, Gary. She will be missed, but remembered as the beautiful, strong woman she was.

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Lorraine Jenks says:

February 15, 2021

I met Jo and Gary when they visited South Africa. Such fond memories of trips and a visit to a safari park and vivid memories of the warmest, broadest ever-ready smile. Rest is peace sweet lady. And a hug to you, dear Gary.

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