Josephine Palmer Wylie

Josephine Palmer Wylie died December 16th, she was 79 years old. Jo was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, January 31, 1931 to Lester and Marion Palmer. Although she lived most of her life in Oklahoma City, she considered herself a life-long citizen of Okemah. She maintained her newspaper subscription, and was always ready to share a bucketful of stories related to her childhood there and the characters that made up life in her small home town. Jo attended the University of Oklahoma where she was involved with sorority life (Delta Gamma) and “dating” as she put it, eventually settling on “locking eyeglasses forever” with Joseph Smith Wylie Jr., her husband of 60 years. Jo and Joe raised six children together in their home on N.W. 38th. In the 1960s the neighborhood was teeming with young families and Jo is remembered for her fascination with the Wizard of Oz books and sharing them by reading aloud to rapt children gathered at her feet for the regular readings. Jo also was a lover of history. An inveterate reader, she was famous for her interest in the Civil War and for knowing obscure details about Oklahoma and Western history, places and people. She relished the family’s road trips off the beaten path in Colorado, New Mexico and throughout Oklahoma. Jo kept humorous journals chronicling the family’s travels, and she was always eager to see historic sites, museums, and landmarks. Her knowledge of all subjects and retention of facts was so astute, family members always vied to have her on their team during “Trivial Pursuit” games. A staple at the State Fair with her needlework, Jo often won first place and generously shared her wonderful craft with family and friends. As a volunteer, Jo contributed her time for decades to Lyric Theatre (where she helped in the box office and was delighted to have been given a part in a production of “Fiorello”) and to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (as a long-time docent and in the library), among other organizations. Vibrant, social, and interested in people, Jo was a member of many clubs including Sewing, Bridge, and Book Clubs and PEO. For over 40 years, she and Joe socialized with a group of friends who dubbed themselves “The Culture Club”. Jo is predeceased by her daughter Palmer. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children and their spouses and partners: Joe Wylie and Cathy Adamski of Denver; John Wylie and wife Charlotte of Oklahoma City; Elizabeth Wylie of Boston; Laura Katen and husband Steve of Yukon; and Julian Wylie Hibbard and husband Freddy of Oklahoma City. She is survived by five grandchildren: Sarah Katen of Bloomington, Mary Katen of Yukon, Austin Wylie of Norman, Kendal Wylie of Durango, and Spencer Wylie Cheek of Boston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (Attn: Development, 1700 N.E. 63rd, OKC, OK 73111) or to Lyric Theatre (1727 N.W. 16th, OKC, OK 73106). A graveside service will be held Monday December 20th at 2:00 pm at Highland Cemetery, Okemah under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home

Josephine Palmer Wylie

January 31, 1931 - December 16, 2010