The Colby family has been living in Alaska for over 12 years; moving here from Massachusetts. Joanna (Jo) and Steve have been married for 46 years; with 2 children and 3 grandsons and a dog; with ½ the family here and ½ in Massachusetts. Jo has spent 8 years volunteering frequently with Alaska Health Fair at the Fairbanks office, at local events and even traveling remotely with our Northern Region team of volunteers.
As the years have gone by, she has encouraged her husband Steve, daughter Shannon and son-in-law Marc, and 2 grandsons (Owen 12 and Hugh 10) to volunteer too. They make an amazing team; and sometimes all 3 generations volunteer together to work various stations (wherever they’re needed the most); as they did for the Spring 2018 Fairbanks Health Fair at the Carlson Center (see spring photo above).
Jo is a retired RN (having been licensed for 50 years) and retired from teaching the University of Alaska Nursing Program. She visits the Nursing Program twice per year and speaks to the students of various levels, encouraging them to consider Alaska Health Fair for volunteer service &/or college requirements. She enjoys painting and has even gifted the Fairbanks office with one of her artistic depictions.
Steve retired as an Adjunct Welding Instructor for the Community and Technical College earlier this year. He makes artistic renditions of construction equipment, fish, airplanes and other things using copper or stainless steel. He even donated a fish for the 2017 & 2018 Fairbanks Health Fair Silent Auctions. He is very supportive of Jo’s interests in volunteering for Alaska Health Fair and they make a wonderful couple…
Sharon K. Phillips
Tanana Valley/Northern Region Program Director