Meet your neighbor: Marjory “JoAnne” Mock

JoAnne Mock is one of the newest independent living residents at Manor of the Plains, however she is not entirely new to the community—her husband was previously a resident in health care.  

JoAnne grew up on a farm with five older brothers. After they graduated, her father would allow her to drive the five miles to Burrton, Kan. Another nearby town, Haven, had bus service and she rode the bus to Haven High School. It was there that one day the principal called her into his office.

“I was so frightened,” said JoAnne. “However, he was calling me in to tell me that Hutchinson Junior College was offering me a full scholarship. I was so happy and excited to go to college.”

While at college, a friend of JoAnne’s was interested in a boy named Bruce, but she was just too tall for him so instead, she would talk about JoAnne to Bruce and then talk to Bruce about JoAnne.  

“Bruce asked to take me home after the basketball game and that was it,” said JoAnne. “We never dated anyone else.”  

Bruce was attending Kansas State University while JoAnne continued at Hutchinson. She eventually graduated with her associate degree and was named valedictorian of her class.  

Bruce came home on weekends, but they grew tired of the commute. On February 27, 1948, they decided to get married. Bruce wanted JoAnne to go to Kansas State as well, so she enrolled and obtained her teaching degree.

Shortly after that, the Mocks started their family. Bruce was a certified public accountant and JoAnne found herself very busy as a mother of four.  

“I kept my teaching certificate current, but I never taught school,” said JoAnne.

The Mocks were active in the community and members of First Christian Church where they sang in the choir together. They were married for 72 years until Bruce passed away on January 13, 2021.  

After Bruce’s passing, JoAnne wanted to try something different and decided to move to Manor of the Plains.

“I am an independent woman and here, I can be just that,” said JoAnne.

JoAnne enjoys reading, doing crossword puzzles and watching the birds outside her window. On the patio, JoAnne has a bird feeder and a dog bowl big enough for the birds to take their bath.  

“It is fun watching them splash around,” said JoAnne.

In addition to her four children, JoAnne has nine grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.  

“My family is so very important to me,” said JoAnne.

Some of JoAnne’s favorite pastime hobbies included sewing and she even made her daughter’s wedding dress. She also enjoyed woodworking and refurbishing old furniture.  

One of her favorite things about living at the Manor is her neighbors.

“We watch out for each other,” said JoAnne, and shortly after, two neighbors stopped by to check on her.  

On nice evenings, they sit outside on the patio and visit.  

“I just love it here,” said JoAnne.