My darling Sister – Joanne Elizabeth, came into this world with a cheerful smile on her face on 25th July 1965 despite almost not making it through a blood transfusion at birth. I was 3 ½ and wasn’t too impressed by how spotty she was when Mum came out of hospital with her! Mum and Dad were so proud and relieved and we spent the next few years living in a tiny one bedroom flat in Bethnal Green, with Jo in a cot at the end of my single bed.
She was always so loving, caring and nurturing even as a child. She wouldn’t leave Mum’s side, well her shoulder to be factually correct. I used to say she was a little monkey always clinging on to mum.
Jo was so loyal and compassionate, so after a huge amount of agonising over the decision to leave her childhood home in Hayes, she moved into very own lovely flat in Harlington at the age of 25, but continued to care for them so well for the rest of their lives when they passed away – Mum in 1997 and Dad in 1998.
All Jo ever wanted was to get married and have children of her own, that was her biggest desire, and that came true when she met John in 1992 and went on to have Kieran in 1998, get married on 28th August 1999, and go on to have Kirstie in the year 2000.
Whilst she worked for many years of her life as a book-keeper, starting out at Mancini Sports in Harrow, then helping me with our events business finances for over 20 years, Joanne always said she could not understand how on earth she ended up doing that kind of work, as she hated it really!
As soon as she got the chance around 2005 (I think), she decided to welcome more and more children into her home, becoming a child minder – this made her truly happy as it also meant she could be at home for her own kids and they could enjoy having their mum around whilst they were growing up. All the children absolutely loved her caring, fun, no-nonsense ways and she loved each and every one of them.
Joanne carried on being a child minder right through until she could no longer cope with it all, due to her illness. One particular baby that made her decision to give up really tough was Twyla, a gorgeous little one, who has suffered all her young life with a health condition that is undiagnosed, but meant that she would have unexpected convulsions and fits all the time, taking continuous medication which Joanne had to administer. Poor little Twyla is now in Great Ormond Street Hospital, which Joanne knew about – and all she could think about whilst herself being very ill was Twyla and if she was going to be ok.
Children made Joanne so happy and no more happier than when she could get special times with Riley who is 2½, my grandson and Alex’s son - and Honor 1½, Saphire and Ollie’s beautiful baby girl. They all loved their special Aunty Jo Jo.
Joanne loved her holidays with John and the kids - and during the 4 years since she was diagnosed she did manage to have a few special ones with John, Kieran and Kirstie in the Cayman Islands, Bahamas and Cancun and they will be forever special memories for them all.
Joanne did not have any huge demands of life, just to see her kids and John happy and to have a lovely home and holidays together and to spend time with all the grandchildren and family. She took care of their home life and was a very strong woman who knew clearly what she did and didn’t like and want. Towards the end her strength shone through – she just wanted to make sure that everything was going to be OK for everyone she was leaving behind. She was so appreciative and in love with John and knew how tough all this was on him, and he never let her down.
Joanne did not deserve to suffer as she did, or to go so young, it makes no sense to me at all, but I believe she left this world knowing she had led a good and selfless life, driven by the love for her children. She was caring, kind, compassionate and dedicated, and will leave an everlasting impression on the people who knew her and love her.
Her children are her legacy - she was a truly special mum, wife, and sister and will always be missed. Night night Jo Jo – love you always and forever. Deborah xxx