Josephine Gould Morse

Josephine ‘Jo’ Gould Morse, a World Bridge Federation World Life Master who represented the United States at five World Bridge Championships, passed away peacefully in Boise, Idaho on May 21, 2025.

Jo is survived by her daughters and their husbands Sallie Morse (Bob Brantley) and Tracey McDonnell (Bob McDonnell); grandchildren Emily Brantley, Robert McDonnell III and Megan Hunt (McDonnell); four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Sandra Morse; nephews Saul Burk, Robbie Burk, and Len Morse; and niece Anita Silverman. She was predeceased by her husband of nearly 73 years, Jack Morse, who passed away in February 2024; her sister, Elaine Burk; her brother, Mark Gould; and her brother-in-law, Meyer Burk.

Jo was born and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts, to Saul and Raie (née Bloom) Gould. She grew up surrounded by many aunties, uncles, and cousins who lived in and around Boston, enjoying frequent family gatherings and many summer trips to Nantasket Beach. In her teens, she lived briefly in Miami, FL and then moved to Washington, DC where she graduated high school from McKinley Tech and attended the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. While living in the DC area, Jo met Jack Morse, who was also from the Boston, MA area. They later married, on Beacon Hill, in Boston, in April 1951.

Jo was a long-time resident of the Washington, DC area; Tucson, AZ; and Palm Beach Gardens, FL. She and her husband relocated to Boise, ID, in 2019, to join their daughters in Idaho. No matter how many years it had been since she moved away from Boston, she never lost her Boston accent or stopped rooting for her beloved Boston Red Sox.

One could say that Jo led two lives.

She always loved a good adventure and never turned down a chance to travel or wander. When they were young, Jo ensured her daughters experienced all that Washington, DC, had to offer. As their tour guide extraordinaire, the family hiked along the C&O Canal, attended Congressional hearings at the US Capitol, explored the many Smithsonian Institution museums, and listened to the National Symphony on the banks of the Potomac River. Each summer became a new adventure. With her own mother in tow (along for the ride), Jo drove her girls everywhere: to the World’s Fair in New York; Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada; Hemisphere 68 in San Antonio, Texas; and on a coast-to-coast “Westward Ho” road trip to visit National Parks, friends and family.

She was an avid bowler and golfer, and, as a member of the American Volkssports Association, spent many Sundays participating in 10K (6.1 miles) volksmarches mainly on the military bases around the Washington, DC area. But her favorite volksmarch was always in Adamstown, Pennsylvania during Octoberfest when the oompah bands provided live entertainment and there were fresh soft pretzels and bratwursts to enjoy!

And then there was Jo’s life as an American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) Grand Life Master duplicate bridge player. She started by playing in local games in people’s homes, and as her confidence grew, she began attending weekly unit games of the Washington Bridge League. It was not a surprise that she won her very first duplicate game. Becoming and staying successful at bridge requires playing often and traveling a lot. And she did both! Jo attributed much of her success at bridge to her husband, Jack (a non-playing spouse), who encouraged Jo to “get out there, and win”, and who himself was content to remain at home. As her prowess at the bridge table began to take off – so did she!

Jo was a member of the US team that won the World Mixed Team Championship in Las Palmas, Canary Islands in 1974, earning a gold medal. This accomplishment was unexpected since this was the first time any of the team members had competed at the world level. As a non-playing captain, she won first place in the NEC Venice Cup, in 1993 in Santiago, Chile. In later years, Jo received three more medals from other World Bridge Championship events in Albuquerque, NM (third place, 1994); Bermuda (second place, 2000); and Philadelphia, PA (third place, 2010).

Throughout the course of her more than 50-year bridge calling, Jo also won ten North American Bridge Championships, established herself as a bridge professional, and played a key role in promoting the game of bridge as an intellectual sport around the globe. She supported many fundraising initiatives between the United States Congress, Corporate America, and British Parliament. Her role as a Technical Advisor for the USA Corporate America team, competing against the British House of Parliament in February 1990, was one of her most memorable. The Corporate America team included, but was not limited to, Malcolm Forbes, Warren Buffet, and Laurence Tisch (team captain). This charitable match was hosted by Malcolm Forbes at his London residence. During the match, Jo was seated slightly behind Malcolm Forbes, watching intently (and with glee) as he made a particularly good play. Forbes passed away the very next day, after flying home to New Jersey that night. The photo, of Jo kibbitzing Malcolm, which was published in the last issue of Forbes Magazine, became a precious memory for her of that evening.

Jo decided, many years ago, that she wished to be cremated for her final journey, and have her ashes scattered at sea. On Friday, June 27, 2025, in a private family ceremony, Jo’s ashes were scattered off the coast of Maine, near Ogunquit Beach, one of her favorite places.

To keep Jo’s passion for the game of bridge alive, and to help recruit new, especially junior, bridge players, her family and longtime friends, Rose and Cliff Meltzer, ask that you consider making a donation in her name to the ACBL Educational Foundation.