Jo-Ann "Jody" (Nunley) Stanaway

Jo-Ann “Jody” Nunley Stanaway

These beautiful words from Jo-Ann “Jody” Nunley Stanaway were written by her long ago, yet still acted upon day after day until her time of death: “Plans for my life are to continue serving others in whatever way God has chosen for me to do, wherever and whenever that may be. My goal is to uplift someone each day as I try to become a blessing to others.” She knew how to put that mindset into action. Each of us can try to adopt that goal even more deeply as we say an Earthly goodbye to her.

To everyone’s surprise, during the evening on May 26, 2023, Jody died unexpectedly and quickly of natural causes in her home, which is how she hoped she would pass from Earth into God’s kingdom. She had taken communion that afternoon and received a pastor’s blessing while attending a friend’s funeral, which possibly was a unique beginning of crossing the bridge to her own divine meeting with God that same day. The tears of sadness and depth of grief can be lessened by remembering the genuine faith she held toward our Lord’s plan. Jody is safe in His arms.

She was born on Aug. 19, 1935, in Big Timber with parents and sister welcoming her in. “Nunley Trucking” was the family business, which her father and his identical twin managed. She was active in outdoor activities, Girl Scouts, music, cheerleading, church activities and was a Girls’ State representative. She then spread her wings to attend Eastern Montana College where she earned a degree in education. She was the president of the Ayudas Sorority, which granted her the privilege of presenting a dozen red roses to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt during her United Nations Tour. Two years into college, she and her first husband, Fred Brinkman, taught in Whitefish and then came back to Billings, eventually earning her master’s degree in Elementary Education.

Jo-Ann and Fred raised their three children, Mantz, Carrie and Jan. All three were baptized at American Lutheran Church. Her Lutheran upbringing had always been special and significant to her. Many years of family love and adventure filled their lives. The Brinkman household was blessed with many memory-keepers. After the kids were raised and relationships changed, Jo-Ann ventured to teach oversees in Cairo, Egypt, for a year, working with children and families from all over the world. She was able to travel to Thailand, Greece, Turkey, the Mediterranean, Switzerland and Austria, where she loved the excitement of traveling to new places. She then landed another teaching job in Morgan Hill, California, for three years before returning to Billings. After 40 years of teaching, she retired for just two months and then started a new career of becoming a national marketing representative for Frog Publications, an educational program, that lasted 14 years.

She then became even more active in her lifestyle to help others out. She was one of three founders of Global Grannies, along with Mary Lou Wagner and Jo Lou Knoll. Global Grannies was a traveling group that existed for 20 years. They landed on all continents while acquiring more than 300 members! Many years were spent “making someone’s day brighter” by volunteering to plan fun, meaningful events for hundreds of women who wanted to tour the world and have an exceptional, safe experience while doing so. Local, national and international events were created for members to find comfort and excitement for their journeys. Jody was in charge of the Low Vision Support Group for eight years. She formed the Silvertones Choir. She also belonged to other meaningful groups, such as Golden Belles Chorus, Montana Cattle Women, Sweet Adelines’ Choir, Billings Blue Blazers, PEO, Delta Kappa Gamma, Women’s History Museum, Granary Girls, and a handful of other great groups.

Jo-Ann was independent, kind, happy, creative and brave, yet she was given a new, beautiful chapter in her life with her second husband, Don Stanaway. They married in 2019 and lived in Montana, California and Oregon. Their adventures together were significantly special. They blessed each other’s lives with love that was amazing to witness. They embraced being married in their “sunset years.” Not only did Jody feel cherished by Don — she had beautiful support and love given by his entire family.

Jody now joins her many relatives and special friends in Heaven. Her parents, Audrey Mosier Nunley and Roy Nunley; her sister, Shirley Nunley Oaks; and daughter Carrie Brinkman McCann (and husband John) might be at the front of the line to welcome her into Heaven’s gates, along with many other relatives and friends who preceded her. Imagine that reunion!

Survivors from Jody’s first marriage with Fred Brinkman include her son, Mantz Brinkman (sons David and Daniel); her daughter, Jan Kvilhaug (husband Lee, their son Jacob and daughter Krista); Carrie and John McCann’s son Zach; nephew Greg Oaks; cousins, and relations from Fred’s family. Survivors from her second marriage include her husband, Don Stanaway and his family, including Skip and Crystal, Scott and Tracy, Sue, Daren, Tucker and Kari with Landen and Stella, Tate and Kim with Ethan and Ava, Piper, Stori and Payton. Jo-Ann linked arms with so many wonderful friends — too many to mention, but you know who you are! She would give a lasting hug to each of you if she could, just one more time with a heartfelt embrace. She would want to thank each of you who cherished time together and who recognized her inspiration and endurance through life.

A memorial service and reception will be held at Faith Chapel, where she attended regularly, at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 10th. Please use Broadwater entrance. Jody’s remains will be placed in Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park at a later date. Also, Jody’s family tree can be found at Rose Park.

If you’d like ideas for memorials, a check can be made to a philanthropic educational organization which helps women advance through education. Send to “P.E.O. Chapter E” at 1527 Caleb Court in Billings, MT 59105 or another idea would be to contribute to the “Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools” at 415 N. 30th in Billings, MT 59101.

Let us all move forward with Jody’s mindset of: “It’s always up to you to choose what you’re going to celebrate today.” She would want to celebrate each of you who knew her for making her life extra bright.

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