Jo Ann Allen was born February 4, 1926, in the Hollywood neighborhood of Portland. Jo was the seventh child of Isom “Jack” Allen and Gale Hare. Her siblings were Jack (eldest), Don, Fr. William, Helen Madden, Paul and Peggy Watson.

As devout Catholics, the family was a member of St. Rose Parish and grade school. Jo graduated Holy Child Academy in 1943. She traveled by Greyhound bus to attend Marylhurst College for her freshman year. However, Jo set her career sights on the world’s noblest profession.

In high school, Jo met the love of her life, Robert A. Leipzig. On June 22, 1946, they were happily married at the ages of 23 and 20. The couple started their family in a small house in the Pinehurst neighborhood of Beaverton. From 1949 through 1966, Bob and Jo begot eight children. After the first six children, they moved to a larger residence in the Vermont Hills neighborhood in Southwest Portland, where they would reside for 46 years.

The Leipzigs were one of many large Catholic families that founded St. John Fisher Parish in 1959. All eight of Bob and Jo’s children graduated from St. John Fisher, and for decades the children and grandchildren attended Portland area Catholic high schools such as Jesuit, Central Catholic, St. Mary’s Academy, and St. Mary’s of the Valley.

Jo was an accomplished pianist, in the opinion of her eight children. When she wasn’t changing diapers, doing laundry or giving birth, Jo would play her favorite melodies on the piano. Jo bestowed a strong competitive spirit to her children, teaching them a multitude of card games, and never allowing her children to win unless earned. Even in her final days, Jo continued to play Bridge with the Vermont Hills Ladies Bridge Society, as well as her friends at The Stafford. As the household slowly emptied and her motherly duties waned, Jo became an avid tennis player.

Upon his retirement, Bob and Jo became world travelers, visiting many countries around the globe. Bob and Jo believed in serving those in need, most notable St. Vincent de Paul. With their generous gifts and life of charitable service, they were an inspiration to family and friends. Jo was a devoted wife to Robert, who passed December 8, 2012.

Jo is survived by her children, Kurt (Jackie) Leipzig, Mark (Soyoung) Leipzig, Karey (Mike) Manley, Rick (Mary) Leipzig, Tim (Marianne) Leipzig, Jody (Mark) Gordon, Frank (Nicole) Leipzig and Rob Leipzig; 18 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at noon Saturday, May 16, 2015, at St. John Fisher School, 7101 S.W. 46th Ave., Portland, OR 97219.

A private inurnment will be held in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 333 S.W. Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR 97221.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Vincent de Paul.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at The Stafford as well as the caregivers at Hopewell House Hospice