JO-AN BROSTER SUMMERS

July 6,1929 – June 19, 2026

Jo-An Broster Summers passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, determination, courage, and an unwavering devotion to both family and animals.

Born on July 6, 1929, in Chester, England, Jo-An was the youngest of four girls. From an early age she possessed a remarkable connection with animals, a gift that would become one of the defining threads of her life. Whether with horses, dogs, birds, or other creatures, Jo-An’s kindness and gentle spirit drew animals to her and inspired a lifelong commitment to their care and protection.

After coming to America, Jo-An built a life founded on hard work, perseverance, family, and a deep love of horses. One of the proudest moments of her life came when she became a citizen of the United States in 1998. Family members remember the emotion and pride she felt as she placed her hand over her heart and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. It was a moment she treasured throughout her life and a reflection of the gratitude she felt for the country she proudly called home.

Together with her beloved husband, Don Summers, Jo-An built Buttonwood Arabians in Peculiar, Missouri. Their shared dream became a respected and admired Arabian horse ranch. Don devoted himself to studying bloodlines and pedigrees in search of the ideal crosses, while Jo-An’s exceptional talent for training, caring for, and showing horses helped establish Buttonwood Arabians as a recognized name within the Arabian horse community.

Jo-An’s dedication and horsemanship earned her some of the highest honors in the industry. She achieved the distinction of both National Champion and Canadian National Champion, accomplishments that reflected her skill, knowledge, and lifelong commitment to the Arabian horse. In recognition of her many contributions to the breed and the industry she loved, she was awarded the Legion of Merit, one of the most prestigious lifetime achievement honors bestowed upon members of the Arabian horse community.

Yet awards and championships tell only part of Jo-An’s story.

Her devotion to horses extended far beyond the show ring. She was a tireless advocate for the prevention of animal cruelty and spent countless hours rescuing horses from neglectful and abusive environments. She believed every animal deserved kindness, dignity, and protection. Time and again, she opened her heart and her facilities to horses that others had abandoned, mistreated, or forgotten.

Jo-An was also a major force in the effort to end horse tripping, a cruel practice that terrifies, maims, and sometimes fatally injures horses. Through her determination and advocacy, she helped bring attention to the issue and played an important role in supporting legislation designed to stop the practice and protect horses from needless suffering. She worked tirelessly to ensure that those who abused animals were held accountable and prevented from continuing that abuse.

While horses were a lifelong passion, family was always at the center of Jo-An’s life. She was a devoted mother whose strength, wisdom, humor, and unconditional love shaped the lives of her children and grandchildren. Her family was her greatest pride and her greatest joy.

Jo-An was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don Summers, who passed away in 1980, and by her son, Austin Summers, who passed away in 2025.

She is survived by her children: Tom Summers and wife Gertrud; Dick Summers and partner Sue; Chuck Summers; Donna McFadden; Jim Summers and wife Linda; and Julia Maloney and her fiancé Gregory.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Joshua, David, Dirk, Stephanie, Jacob, Joe, Ryan, Katie, and Grant; many beloved great-grandchildren; and cherished nieces in England and Australia, Anne and Lynda.

Those who knew Jo-An will remember a woman of remarkable strength, fierce determination, quick wit, deep compassion, and unwavering conviction. She never hesitated to stand up for what she believed was right, especially when it came to protecting those who could not protect themselves.

Whether she was standing beside a show-ring champion, rescuing a frightened horse in need, fighting for stronger animal protection laws, or surrounded by the family she loved, Jo-An lived a life of purpose and service. She made a lasting difference in the lives of countless animals and people, and her influence will continue for generations.

For those who knew her best, it is impossible to think of Jo-An without picturing her among her horses at Buttonwood Arabians, doing the work she loved, living the life she built, and making the world a better place.

Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the horses she championed, the laws she helped change, and the countless lives she touched with her kindness, courage, and love.

Our many thanks to our friends, Mary Peters, Linda Pepper who spent countless hours caring for mom and the hospice nurses who we grew to love as part of our family, Yvonne Sisneros & Izzie Edwards.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date and will be held at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Drive, Raymore, MO 64083.