It was always easy to spot Jo Guerin in a crowd. With her blonde hair, teal-blue eyes and her never-ending smile, she was known for having an enormous collection of friends and being a tireless supporter of a wide variety of nonprofits.
Hailing from Arkansas, she found her way to SMU back in 1956, where time and time again she made her presence known thanks to her beauty (Rotunda Beauty, SMU Modeling Squad, etc.) and her talent (SMU Arden Club, President of the Neiman Marcus College Board, etc.).
Her appearing in SMU theatrical productions came as no surprise, since her older blonde sister/the late Martha Bumpas Gaylord was a favorite leading actress in Dallas theaters.
However, following college Jo married Dean Guerin in 1960 and shifted her focus to community involvement that included the Junior League of Dallas, Big Sisters, Children’s Medical Center, DAR, Dallas Museum of Fine Arts League, Crystal Charity Ball, Les Femmes du Monde, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, Dallas Garden Club, Susan Komen Foundation, Dallas Heritage Society, Flora Awards, Dallas Civic Opera and Dallas Arboretum Women’s Council.
But Jo was also known for her style. Whether it was being selected to the Crystal Charity Ball’s Best Dressed and its Hall of Fame or living and entertaining with Dean in the only Texas home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Jo was a standout.
We regret to report that Jo died Sunday, April 24. A memorial service will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest on Friday, April 29, at 2 p.m.
Our condolences are extended to Jo’s family, friends and those who benefited from her efforts.