AUGUST 30, 1922 TO SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
Jo was born on August 30, 1922 in Landour, Mussoorie, India to Allen and Irene Parker. She grew up in the foothills of the Himalayas with her two sisters, Kittu and Barbara and the resident students of Woodstock School where she attended.
Parker Family History at Woodstock, India from Allen E. Parker and Clara Jo Parker to follow.
Jo’s early years:
Jo was born in 1922 just as her parents (Allen and Irene Parker) took over as principals of Woodstock School. In her father’s Autobiography entitled Eighteen Years In Woodstock 1922-1939 by Rev. Allen E. Parker, he shares that their life in India was filled with alternating joys and sorrows. Jo’s parents worked hard and “served the school through a period that was one of the most significant in its 150 year history.”
“Eighteen Years in Woodstock is also an account of the life of a missionary family in India, not so much in the pioneer years but certainly in times of challenge and danger. His description of his marriage and family life, of his working partnership with Irene, of the pain of loss of two daughters from dysentery these things are moving and affecting. He writes of the ‘alternating joy and sorrow’ of his life at Woodstock and of sharing his experiences with students so that ‘we could enter into our problems together.’ At the end of his story, it is hard to read how the family moved back to Allahabad for Irene’s health, only to have her die suddenly in the plains. Parker seems to have struggles both with the loss of his beloved wife, and with the parting from his beloved school.”
1922- Rev. and Mrs. Parker are asked to take over as Principals of Woodstock School. They journey to Landour and assume these posts on February 28th. While serving as Principal, Rev. Parker begins teaching two classes, a Bible class and one on US History.
The Parkers make their first residence in Tafton, where Clara Jo Parker is born during the next summer.
At the end of 1922, Parker prepares a letter telling of the introduction of an American Curriculum, with American teachers in the Primary Classes of the school, as well as of the courses in American History and Geography that were being given in the High School.
1923- Tehri view is completed. The Parkers move into one suite and the other – without a partition – is inhabited by Woodstock’s schoolboys. In December, the Parkers leave on their first brief furlough. Upon arrival in the US Rev. Parker begins work on his Masters degree at the University of Chicago.
1925 – The Parkers arrive back at Woodstock in time for the beginning of the school year.
1926 – The Boys’ Hostel is completed in February. The Parkers accompany Woodstock’s boys in their move to the hostel and live there with them until the completion of the Principal’s Cottage in 1933.
Shortly after Rev. Parker’s return to India, Patty Parker is born. Like Dorothy, Patty dies several months later (June 17, 1927) also of bacillary dysentery.
“ In January, 1926, Patty was born, and in the summer of 1927 when she was a little more than a year and a half she and Clara Jo suddenly took ill, with dysentery. I (Rev. Parker) shall always remember that time. I know when we called Dr. Butcher, who was such a good personal friend, Irene broke down, because we had already lost a child (Dorothy) from dysentery. I remember how Dr. Butcher assured her that we were not going to lose these little children. However, in spite of everything he could do, Patty slipped away after four days illness. We had taken them over to the Evelyn Hall Nursing Home the day before. She passed away about one o’clock in the morning. We wrapped up the body. Irene carried her in her arms in a dandy, and I walked beside her. We arrived home about four o’clock in the morning. It was a sad home-coming. We had left Clara Jo at the Hospital. The next day friends made a box, as we had the funeral service up at Kellogg Church, and during the funeral word came from the Hospital that Clara Jo was worse and we were wanted at once. We went, and when we arrived we found that Dr. Butcher was much concerned about her condition. He called Dr. Forman to come for consultation. Other doctors had been consulted, too. However, during that evening they felt that her condition was more hopeful, and during the succeeding days she steadily improved.”
1927 – Barbara Parker is born in November.
1928 – Community Center is completed.
1929 – High School building is completed the beginning of the Landour Community Hospital is begun.
1932 – Second furlough. Rev. Parker works on his Master’s thesis.
1933 – The Parkers return to Woodstock.
“There are many things about our life in Woodstock that give a great deal of pleasure as one looks back. Of course first comes our home life. We could be together and work together. Perhaps our children had to suffer to some extent for being labeled as the daughters of the Principal and his wife. But also they had some advantages. Those years with them seemed to pass so quickly, and they moved along from lower Kindergarten right up to 10th Standard in almost no time, it seemed. One custom that we always had was to spend Christmas there at Woodstock. This became a part of our lives, and I think a part of the community life.” Rev. Parker wrote about how many people on the staff spent Christmas with them. “Two days before Christmas we always had a picnic out at Witch’s Hill. Then we cut the Christmas tree and carried it in ourselves in a procession singing Christmas carols. The next day the Christmas tree was put up and decorated. On Christmas Eve all of the Indian Christian people of the community were invited in for tea and refreshment and a program, as well as for gifts that Irene always prepared for them.. When our children were younger we hung our stockings before the fire-place, and early in the morning we had a servants’ Christmas and then our Christmas around the tree. Then came the service at the church and finally our big dinner with our guests. Of course there was a constant stream of people from the hillside coming for gifts and many people sending in gifts. It became a lovely day and something I shall always remember.”
1934 – During the last five years of our life in Woodstock, Prema Angria, daughter of Sardar S.C. Angria of Gwalior, came to live with us and go to school. She became just like one of our daughters. We loved her, and the children loved her as one of our own.”
When the “princess” came to live with the Parker family, Jo unfortunately had to share a bedroom with her older sister Kittu. I’m sure that Kittu was at an age that having a younger sister sharing a room was the last thing she wanted, but the girls made the best of it. Jo and Kittu used to “play bat-mitten” in this bedroom, not badmitten. Whenever a bat flew through their room, the girls would swat it.
Rev. Parker wrote
“ Many guests have been in our home for shorter or longer periods, and I think almost without exception they have enriched our life for their being there.”
“We always had lots of fun in the home. One game we played very often was Happy Family. I think each one of the girls could play that game before she could read. They just knew the pictures. I do not think we played these games very often merely just to amuse the children.”
“During the winters we so often read stories out loud as we sat around the fire. We planned ahead and read many books this way. This reading circle would include the people who were staying with us. Prema seemed to enjoy doing things with us together as a family. It just seemed as though our girls grew up very naturally and faced each thing as it came and tried to take it in their stride. I think that is the best kind of education.“
1936 – Rev. Parker proposes a playing field to the Board of Directors, this project eventually becomes Hanson Field.
1940 – With the approach of another furlough, Irene Parker’s health has been declining. The Parkers finally take leave of Woodstock and request a “plains assignment” for their return to India.
1941 – In January, the Parkers return to Allahabad, working again as managers of the Jumna Mission High School. Irene’s health improves somewhat, but she takes seriously ill in March. An operation is attempted, but Irene dies within a few days. At this time, Kittu and Jo are in the United States. Jo studying Nursing.
Jo Learns Responsibilities
When Jo came to the United States, she stayed overnight with her aunt and uncle. Jo had never had to clean her room in India with servants quickly cleaning up after her and her sisters. When morning came Jo was invited to go on an exciting excursion downtown. She gladly accepted and took off immediately after breakfast with no thought about cleaning up her room. When Jo returned home and returned to her bedroom she was shocked! She thought a robber or burglar must have been going through her belongings. When she talked to her aunt she was obviously upset. Guess what her aunt had to say.
“That’s just how you left it.”
Another story about Jo when she goes to stay with her aunt and uncle…
Everybody had jobs to do and Jo volunteered to set the table for dinner.
Jo set that table as elegantly as possible using every luxurious piece of china and silver she could find. My, the table was exquisite, much more elaborately set than either her aunt or uncle ever imagined. Her uncle was not only surprised at the display of fine china and cutlery never every used, he expressed his concern to Jo’s aunt. Jo’s aunt answer to her husband was “Just go along with it.”
After dinner Jo even volunteered to wash all the dishes. Her aunt and uncle must have been brave to let a young girl like Jo wash their finest china.
“Just go along with it” repeated her aunt.
Jo learned the hard way about how to set a table, especially when she had to clean up afterwards.
Woodstock School Stories
When Jo was in second grade at Woodstock one day she had an embarrassing accident. She didn’t ask to go to the lavatory, but instead left a puddle just under her desk. When her teacher asked her what happened, Jo innocently answered “my it’s awfully wet here.”
Of course the incident was reported to Jo’s mother and father (principal at Woodstock). They may have laughed, but never let on to Jo.
Jo moved to the United States to attend College during her teenage years. She received her undergraduate degree at Whittier College then went on to graduate from Case Western University School of Nursing.
While raising her family in Everett, Jo returned to school earning a Masters in Public Health Nursing from the University of Washington. Her nursing career was dedicated to the children and staff of Everett School District where for many years she was the head nurse.
Jo was married to Robert “Bob” Galbraith and together they raised three children; Janet, Rob and Linda.
The Galbraith Family grew to include; Janet, Gerald, Shannon and Shawn Mason, Kari, Rob, Sarah and Ryan Galbraith, Linda, Keith, Keturah and Matthew Witter; great grandchildren, Chelsie and Cruz Allen.
Several years after the loss of her first husband Jo remarried Art Sipprell and her family grew with the addition of Liz and Don Healy, Barb and Mike Washo and grandchildren Benjy, Heidi, Cassie, Cooper, Bernie and Lindsay, Alissa and Marc Mittlesteadt and Teresa and Curt Haldorson.
Woodstock & Family Reunion at Estes Park, Colorado
Jo Galbraith Sipprell’s Memories
Jo was born in Mussoorie, India (United Provinces) in 1922. She lived about 100 miles north of New Delhi and 600ft. up in the mountains. You had to walk about 5 miles up into the mountains to reach Woodstock .
Then had a marvelous panoramic view 70 miles or more of the Deradune and the Plains. Robert Parker her father was the principal of Woodstock. Her mother was a teacher. Woodstock was a school with approximately 300 students from many different countries, as well as India.
Jo’s oldest sister was Katherine nicknamed Kittu who was 3 years older. Barbara was her younger sister (5 years younger) Dorothy, another sister, died before Jo was born. Patty another sister also died. Jo remembers her mother grabbing her and crying.
The Parker family lived in Woodstock School at the boy’s hostel in the beginning. Most of the students worked on the Plains. Woodstock students attended school from early March to November. Jo remembered living in a big apartment until their first furlough. Jo was about 7 years old. Jo’s funniest memory during this time in her life was about the swimming pool. Girls came to swim 2 times a week. Evidently when the girls got ready to go home, one girl was lagging behind. This was a “No, no” . All of a sudden it was the boys’ turn. You never saw so many naked boys running to jump into the pool. You never saw anyone jump out of the swimming pool so fast as the last little girl! Wonder if she learned a lesson that day.
Every 7 years the Parkers got to go on furlough. Jo remembered her first trip at 7 years old to the United States. From Carachie to Basra to Mecca. The Parker family went through Basra, Iraq where they visited lots of friends. Many friends were made at Woodstock. Traveling on furlough was expensive and her dad was given a limited amount of money. Jo remembers her father student slept on the deck. Unfortunately she had to go sleep in a room. She climbed out and got on the deck anyway.
Crossing the straits. Jo remembered, “ when we got fuel. As one side of the boat was filled, the boat tipped. One side was much higher. It was just about lunch time. Everything slid on the table. They had to put water under table mats so they wouldn’t slide.”
Mr. Parker taught the importance of “friends and being who you are”. As they journeyed from Bushra by train different people got on. The British (who appeared to be very important people) wanted passage to Damascus. The conductor said , “there was no room on the train for them”. But Mr. Parker “ …you have room on the train and a car so you can go with friends for supper.” All the Britishers squished in. There was not enough room so Jo stayed up where the train lights were. Before Bushra – the Parkers were greeted with friends who shared a picnic. The British soldiers joined in. “Friends are more important than anything”. Jo remembered seeing the desert for the first time. The British came along with the Parker Family. The Parker Family visited places that they had heard about in the bible. In Damascus they rented a car. “Mom, Barb and I stayed near Bethlehem.”
Mr. Parker taught his children the importance of TRAVEL…”You need to learn about the world. Go a different way”. The Parker family traveled by car, by boat, by train, ( Jo even got to travel by camel and elephant.)The Parkers traveled from Turkey and Constantinople to Athens, to Italy, to Switzerland, …
When Jo was 8 years old… Mr. Parker was getting his Doctorate Degree at University of Chicago. They stayed in Chicago for a year and visited family in the United States. Mr. Parker was from Ohio. He had a brother in Iowa and a mother in California. Jo thought that she would not have to go to school. Ha! They kept her in school! Mr. Parker was kind but not that kind. Mr. Parker liked raw eggs and toast. He would say “open real big and swallow.” Jo remembers eating raw eggs, too, just like her dad.
When Jo was 9-10 years old… Jo described herself as a “stinkly little girl”. She remembered living in India in a house of their own by the school. She wound up in the principal’s office on more than one occasion. How did she get there? Jo’s side of the story goes like this:
I was sitting nicely one day in class. We had a beginning teacher who was pretty boring. On my desk there was an inkwell and a well for plasticene (clay). I started playing with the clay. That wasn’t so bad. But the boy in front on me filled the clay well with ink. Jo managed to get ink all over herself shortly.
How did Jo handle the situation? “I slugged the boy. He bled. We were sent to the Principal’s Office to see Mr. Parker. I had to walk with that obnoxious boy!!!
Mr. Parker laughed and asked, “Tell me what happened? What were you doing with plasticene?
Jo pleaded, “ Do something, Daddy.”
Mr. Parker answered, “ I’m not daddy now, I’m Mr. Parker, the Principal!
Jo and the “boy” , both had to sit side by side for half an hour to figure out a solution.
Inky and Bloody glaring at each other.
We calmed down. We finally got washed up and walked back to class.
We got teased. Jo remembers her father as uncooperative! Obnoxious!
Another memory, people were not used to having servants. They served your food. Our servants could be “obnoxious” , too. If Jo didn’t want to eat all of her vegetables , the servants would remind her that “ YOU HAVE TO EAT IT!”
Jo tells a story about Prema Chandra, the princess who came to live with them. Prema’s father was Sidhra Angrea, head of the Wallier Group. When Prema came to Woodstock her parents expected the Parker Family to open up their “ Western Style” home to her. They wanted their daughter to have a good education. They insisted that their daughter would live with the Parkers, not in a boarding school dorm. This meant that Prema got Jo’s bedroom. Jo moved in with Kittu. Just what an older sister loved. As an adult , Jo still has a picture of Prema in her living room. After 4-5 years Prema became one of the Parker family.
If you asked Jo what famous people she met in India. Yes, she met Gandhi. Her mother’s best friend was a Mrs. Pundit who later became the first President of the UN after the war. She was the sister of Nehru the first President, but more importantly she loved the Parkers. She was good to Barbara after her mother died. She helped Mr. Parker unpack and make living quarters.
Jo remembers the demand for India’s Independence.
High School Years… and Visitors to Woodstock
Jo’s favorite most exciting guest had to be the fellow who made the 1st climb on Everest. He did not make it successfully, but decided to climb the 2nd highest mountain that had never been climbed.
This guest was a young, absolutely marvelous handsome fellow.
Jo got in trouble for ‘over-doing it’ . Jo never exactly said what sweet things she said to the guest, but we can guess. Her mother gently pushed at Jo’s foot under the table. Once, Twice, … Jo finally verbalized to her mother to “quit kicking my foot”.Everyone knew immediately it was the wrong thing to say.
Gracious Mrs. Parker quietly got her point across.
College Years in the United States
War was breaking out in 1939. Jo left for the United States in April, 1939. She went from the Red Sea up to Italy which cost $183/each to get to the U.S. Italy and Germany were enemies at War. The United States was not at war. People were terrified.
“People are hurt in war NOT by bullets, but by the terror and confusion.”
Jo went to Sweden and Switzerland. The 3 girls go to a Girl Guide conference in Budapest in August. We got tired and fuzzier about war approaching.
“People are people everywhere wars are started by who’s running the government”.
Jo remembers waiting to take a ship to England. At a Youth Hostel a lady hugged Jo and said “Your Poor Mama! Your Poor Mama”
There were mock air raids in Germany and England. War had not yet broken out with England and the United States.
In England they got to see “Mid Summer Nights Dream” in the park. More mock air raids. No phones were available to call home. Jo finally got to the US, it was the last German boat to get to the U.S.
College in the United States
Kittu graduated in the spring and was gone 3 years. She had met Chuck.
Mrs. Parker was having trouble with her kidneys, so she decided to stay with Jo.
Mrs. Parker talked to Jo and said , “You’re all grown up now, we can just be pals.”
What a wonderful relationship and time Jo and her mother had. They traveled together to California and Kansas City as buddies and friends. Jo got to know actually who her mother was.
Jo promised her folks that she’d get a degree. She enrolled in Park College in Kansas City, Missouri. Jo also attended Whittier College for 2 years in California. (Mrs. Parker had gone to Whittier and Jo’s grandmother)
Jo had a free scholarship which helped her attend school. Jo remembered that she waited on tables at her mother’s ’48 Reunion. (One of Jo’s jobs to earn extra money.)
After her mom died Jo wanted to get moving on with her studies. She attended Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio (Nursing) Her mother had found this University. Previously her mother had even had surgery there. Jo got her Master’s Degree. If Jo went to Cleveland and got a B+ Average . Whittier would give her credit for her college degree. So Jo came back for one year and graduated with the Whittier College before entering Nursing College.
Next, Jo joined the Nursing Core and finished her Master’s Degree. She owed them time. She worked in Washington, D.C. at the Veteran’s Hospital which turned out to be a shocker. This hospital didn’t obey the same standards. They were careless on TB. In fact, after working there Jo was exposed to TB and showed spots one of her lungs. She left for California and needed to monitor it.
After California, Jo Parker worked in Honolulu, Hawaii for a year. Her old roommate and friend Alice had asked Jo to come join her. More stories to follow.
Jo traveled to Sitka, Alaska following her Hawaii assignment. In fact that is where she met Bob Galbraith.
Janet and Robbie were born in Sitka. Jo worked at the hospital in Sitka and loved the area.
More stories to follow:
Bob decided to move to Everett , not Seattle. So the family moved south.
In 1951 Linda was born.
Jo stayed at home and raised her family for awhile….did some painting to help Bob in his construction work.
Hospital work was too hard for a lady with 3 children, but Jo accepted a “School Nursing” job with Everett School District as her last career in nursing. She worked K-12 students in elementary, middle schools, and high schools for the next 25 years. Jo loved working with the teachers and students. Bob Galbraith died while Jo was working at Garfield and Hawthorne School.
Jo “The School Nurse” at Hawthorne School
One incident comes to mind. When Jo was called to the school office to take a new Vietnamese student (non-English speaking) home for a change of pants. The young boy seemed quite embarrassed and quiet. Jo’s job was to drive him home, get a new set of dry clothes and talk to the parents before bringing the boy back to school. Jo got the address and took off with the “boy”. After driving all over and being as empathetic as Jo could be…she finally found his house. Jo walked around the car to help the young boy who suddenly looked terrified and refused to go with Jo to his “house”. Jo tried to console him by saying that this happens all the time. Your parents will not be that angry. You can return to school as soon as you change into some dry pants. Finally Jo got the boy to go with her to the front door. When Jo knocked on the door, a man and woman answered the door and appeared to be very puzzled and not at all ready to accept their child. Jo again explained how this was no big deal. Could they provide the boy with dry clothes? “No, No, No!”
Jo was puzzled and thought how insensitive the Vietnamese parents were. Then she discovered that she had the wrong address. The couple insisted that they had a daughter, but not a son.
Jo at Garfield Elementary School
A story from Garfield Elementary School was about “head lice”.
Jo made many home visits as a school nurse. One particularly difficult task was trying to educate families about “head lice” and how to prevent and stop the vicious cycles. On one home visit Jo met a young mother with died red hair. This mother immediately took Jo to the kitchen sink. She scratched her head and showed Jo what “died red head lice” look like.
Another Garfield story – Jo was the head nurse at Garfield Elementary and one day the Lice Shampoo salesman came to Garfield with head lice shampoo for sale. He went to the main office and asked for a “Ms. Sipprell. The secretary Katie Bopp sent him across the courtyard to talk to Ms. Liz Sipprell. It didn’t take long before Liz discovered that it wasn’t a book salesman, but “lice shampoo” in those boxes. Back he went to Jo’s office, which was right across from the secretary’s desk. Did Katie do this on purpose?
In 1981 Jo Galbraith married Art Sipprell and became Mrs. Sipprell. Liz Sipprell (Reading Teacher at Garfield) and Katie Bopp introduced the two.
Katie told Jo that we have somebody we want you to meet. Tuesday morning Jo canceled her haircut. Katie said “You’re going to meet a man!”
Liz chaperoned. Art and Jo had drinks . They drove over to Art’s house.
What a life style change!
She learned to sail Arabesque (36ft. Choi Lee)
They lived in a tall skinny “artsy” house overlooking Lake Stevens.
Jo eventually retired from her school nursing job.
She became an excellent navigator and Co-Captain sailing to Desolation Sound for the next 12 years.
She probably wondered what have I gotten myself into many times as she sailed, pulled up the anchors, checked the water depth, sanded and oiled all the teak decks and painted Arabesque.
Jo and Art made many friends on their journeys. One named Brenda Gow told Jo some sacred advice:
Look at what you NEED to have DONE. Art doesn’t know how to teach you “left-handed”.
Sailing became easier as they bought a self-furling jib and a anchor with brakes.
Jo became not only a wife, but mother and grandmother .
She added additional daughters – Liz Sipprell Healy and Barb Washo.
Jo and Art gained some grandchildren.
Barb and Mike Washo – Benjy and Bernie Washo
Kari and Rob Galbraith – Sarah Jo and Ryan
Linda and Keith Witter – Amanda and Matthew
Janet and Jerry Mason – Shannon and Shawn
Great Grandchildren – Chelsie
Great Great Grandchild- Cruz
Jo and Art had many happy years together. They made friends wherever they went.
Jo shared her life with this big family. The soup was always on at the Sipprell’s.
Visit and feel welcome, everyone.
It seems that Jo never quit being a nurse .
Her skills seemed to be needed with her family and in her new neighborhood.
Neighbors were always bringing kids down for Jo’s advice, before taking them to the doctor.
Probably one of Jo’s most important feats was helping Art battle cancer and survive.
Art got to live an extra 10 years because of Jo’s positive attitude, patience, love and excellent nursing skills.
Art died October, 1996 from a heart attack.
A few years later, Jo met Bruce Cunningham at her Congregational Church where she volunteered much of her life.
What a happy loving couple they made until Bruce died suddenly .
A tribute to Jo….
Jo just like her father has had a positive vision for the future that inspires us today.
Jo just like her mother has been a mentor. Her radiant spirit and courageous personality inspires us on and on today. Jo used to have a mentor…Mrs. Ashbrook, Jo humbly never felt she was mentor.
Yet to family, friends, staff members, nurse friends, church friends, neighborhood friends, sailing friends, Woodstock classmates…Jo has made a difference in many people’s lives. She helped others in need whenever she could. She loved people and gave her best and was loved by everyone. Even at The Courtyard staff and surrounding new friends loved Jo. Is she always that sweet? YES!
