Carolyn "Jo" McReynolds Blochowiak, 79Carolyn "Jo" McReynolds Blochowiak, 79, passed away on Sunday, October 16, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Jo was born on Sept. 4, 1937, in Tipton, Indiana. She was the daughter of F.L. McReynolds and Minnie Daniel McReynolds. She spent her childhood in Brookston, Indiana, and most of her adult life in Milwaukee, where she simultaneously built a career and raised three children.In the 1960s, Jo began her career in the male-dominated world of advertising as a copywriter. Subsequently, she moved into public relations/special events and then journalism. She wrote articles for Exclusively Yours magazine and a style column for the Milwaukee Business Journal.In the 1980s, Jo decided to forge a different career path for herself as an independent scholar and community educator. She earned a master's degree in history at Roosevelt University in Chicago and became a well-known lecturer, speaker, and community educator in the Milwaukee area. Jo spoke at retirement residences, public libraries, private book clubs, lifelong learning programs, senior centers, country clubs, colleges and universities. She made history come alive and encouraged personal, creative self-expression and intellectual curiosity at any age and in any circumstance.In her free time, Jo enjoyed long walks, nature, movies, books and the theatre.In 1986, Jo married the love of her life, Kenneth R. Blochowiak, who survives her. Jo is also survived by her brother, Lelan McReynolds (Joy); her three children-Jeff Smith (Alison), Scott Smith, and Nan Hall (Bryan); and her seven grandchildren-Cole and Erin Smith, Dylan, Lauren and Carly Smith, and Katharine, Austin and Caroline Hall; and other extended family.Jo's family, friends and students will remember her for her intellect, humor, creativity, passion for life, generosity and positive spirit.A celebration of Jo's life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2:00 p.m. at Eastcastle Place, 2505 E. Bradford Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53211. In lieu of flowers, donations to Growing Power or the Urban Ecology Center would be appreciated.