JoAnne’s Story

JoAnne DiSciullo was born in Hood River, Oregon and moved to Portland after high school. She married John DiSciullo in 1959 and raised two daughters with him. JoAnne was passionate about handwriting, and taught her children the techniques of italic handwriting when they were in grade school. She is also remembered for being an exceptional seamstress.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, JoAnne took calligraphy classes at Reed College, where she met Lloyd Reynolds, and he became a special part of her life for many years. JoAnne combined her love of lettering with her interest in wood carving, creating a unique collection of hand-carved pieces.

JoAnne was a private person who quietly made an impact on the Western American Branch of the Society for Italic Handwriting (WABSIH) and the Portland Society of Calligraphy (PSC) with her writing, administrative support, exhibits and more. She served as the Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer of WABSIH, and then PSC, in the 1970s and 80s.

JoAnne compiled and helped publish a book of Lloyd’s weathergrams in 1972, titled: Weathergrams.   His death had a significant impact on her, and she continued to honor his memory by publishing another book of his weathergrams in 1983, titled But the Seeds: Weathergrams Book Two.