Jo Ellen Hess

October 17, 1947 - May 20, 2021

Hampton - Jo Ellen Hess, 73 of Hampton, passed away May 2021 at High Pointe House in Haverhill, MA surrounded by family and friends. Jo Ellen, born Oct 17, 1947, was the daughter of William (Bud) Kelleher and Margaret (Hartnett) Kelleher. She attended Newburyport schools, Northern Essex Community College and Franklin Pierce College. She was employed by the Internal Revenue Service for 29 years, retiring in 2003 and was the recipient of the Gallatin Award for her exceptional service. She had resided in Hampton since 1976. Jo Ellen was an active and devoted grandmother and could always be found cheering the loudest in the bleachers of many sporting events. She would always proudly boast about them and her favorite place to be was anywhere her grandchildren were. She was predeceased by her loving husband of twenty years, John Hess, who passed in 2010. She was also predeceased by brothers James and Barry Kelleher. She leaves behind her son Paul Jeffrey Cooper, who resides in North Hampton with his wife Amy and sons Tate and Cole, and daughter Devin and her husband Matthew Oot. In addition to her son, she is survived by her sister Mary Kelleher and her nephew Daniel Fletcher, all of Hampton; niece Sara Fournier and her family, and her brother Kevin Kelleher of Plymouth, ME. She is also survived by her step-children John-Michael and Kelly Hess, Kristin Olson and her husband Doug and their children Isabella, Cameron, and Kevin Olson, all of Walpole, MA. Jo Ellen loved to host family and friends at her home in Huletts Landing on Lake George, creating many special memories over the years. She would say there was always room for more people to come and enjoy the magic of Lake George. She loved to travel, having been on trips to the Mediterranean, Ireland, and Scotland with friends and family. She was a friend of Bill W for 30 years and an active member of the United Church of Christ in North Hampton, always volunteering for anything she could do to help others. A celebration of life will be held at 11 AM on June 5, 2021 at the United Church of Christ, 295 Atlantic Ave., North Hampton. Masks are required! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA, HAVEN, The American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.