Jo Bryer One of Wiscasset's most well-known and respected citizens, Jo Bryer, was presented with this year's town report, dedicated to her, on October 20. With her are chairman Duane Goud, David Nichols, Nicole Viele, Bill Curtis, and Town Manager Arthur Faucher. (Photo Charlotte Boynton)

Wiscasset resident Jo Bryer died on Monday, November 5, just 13 days after being presented with the town's first copy of the 2007 town report, which was dedicated to her.

On October 20 she was sitting in her living room when four Wiscasset Selectmen, the town manager and a reporter arrived on her doorstep. The visit was to announce the dedication of the town report.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room when Selectman Duane Goud read the dedication to her that is printed in the town report which reads:

"Josephine (Jo) Bryer has been a strong supporter of the town of Wiscasset since she and her husband, John, became residents. Jo's positive outlook, foresight, and commitment to the betterment of Wiscasset has been evident in her many writings in the local newspapers. Jo believes in studying the issues, fair play and progress.

"So many community members have benefited from Jo's wisdom, vision and sound advice. Jo has been an active member of the Wiscasset Senior Center as a board trustee, secretary and newspaper reporter of the Senior Center column. Jo feels that it is important to mentor our youth and was instrumental in establishing a Senior Center Scholarship Fund for Wiscasset High School graduates to further their education/training in a trade, technical school, community college or through on the job training.

"The scholarship program is Jo's main passion and legacy. She has dedicated her time, creative energy and promotional skills to raise money and create a perpetual scholarship fund. Jo is a role model to our youth, our seniors and our community.

"With this dedication we offer our thanks, and congratulations for your contribution to the town of Wiscasset. Wiscasset is a better place to live since you have helped to shape our community and shown us the impact a real role model can have on its citizens," Goud said.

Jo accepted the first copy of the town report with tears running down her face.

However, the tears quickly turned to a smile when she began telling the selectmen what she wanted them to do with her 1992 Cadillac - donate it, with its 92,000 miles, to the scholarship fund, "from a 92-year-old woman who loves Wiscasset."

Jo's late husband, John, was a builder, and came from a family of builders. He also was a strong supporter of the scholarship fund. Their son John, is continuing the tradition of builders in the family.

Earlier this year she wrote a letter to her children after she learned she had cancer. She referred to the scholarship fund to support young people in the following way: "Students who are not academically inclined should not be put down because they did not go to a traditional four year college. That stigma should not prevail."

She and her husband John were married in 1951. It was the second marriage for both. In that same letter, she said that when she and John decided to get married, he asked her if she wanted a diamond or a house.

"I'll have a house, thank you," she replied. He built a three-bedroom cape where they lived for 12 years, and where their two children, John Steven and Priscilla were born.

After moving to Maine in 1999, Jo became very active in town affairs. Both she and her husband enjoyed the activities at the senior center. The center named her the 2007 Volunteer of the Year.

"I have no regrets or complaints," her letter said. "Looking at 92 on December 7, I would be ashamed to ask for any more."

"I always told John, when he asked if I was happy in our marriage - that I felt I have had the best of it - a good solid husband to love and be much loved with shared life values, a good home, the children I always wanted and his and my own businesses to be proud of, plus the best of many retirement years together.

"How would I like to be remembered? I guess I have always been a happy `people' person, and I always tried to be a friend to all. Even as I grow older, life around me continues to be of great interest to me.

"I have always tried to use the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule for guidance. John and I both believed so strongly in these laws that our household was brought up the same way. Personal integrity, honestly and fair play, working hard and doing a conscientious job at whatever, and being happy were so important.

"I have been and still am a happy person despite the normal bumps in the road during 54 wonderful years with John. My love forever to my family, and many friends always. Life has been great."