Jo’s funeral arrangements.
Attached notice will be online from tomorrow onwards and in Ashbourne paper on Wednesday. For yours and everyones safety and in line with Covid-19 regulations, we will have a limited amount of attendees for as well the funeral service at St Mary’s Church in Tissington as the wake at Tissington Hall. A personal invite goes to those after tomorrow. Apologise for those who can not be invited. You are very welcome to make your last greet at the Funeral Directors on Wednesday 29th between 17h and 18h. Or, why not say “hello” and greet when Jo will pass on horse and carriage from the top end of the village to the church before the funeral on Thursday 30th at 10 am. Jo’s wish was a funeral with flowers. Please send your flowers to the funeral directors in Ashbourne. Jo will be put to rest in Tissington graveyard. Thank you all so much for your nice words, messages, cards, flowers, greetings and care so far. Me, Laura and Mike are overwhelmed and speechless with all your responses. What a great lady Jo was!!! Keep well and be safe all! Patrick To all who know Joanne Poitevin
When worlds fall apart …. My dearest friend, the love of my life, my cheeky monkey, my laughing and jolly rock … Jo passed away yesterday, Saturday 18 July, in the morning at 03h37. Jo past away in my arms, gentle and sweet, like an Angel … still a little cheeky smile on her face. Jo was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer now 3 years an half ago. A month and half before, we were running the Great South Run. No symptoms then - a bit of stitches. But who does not, when running that much? Ovarian cancer, is called a silent and aggressive cancer …. We know now for sure. She was always positive and cheerful. Her famous words: “I am all right”. The over 7 hours complicated and major surgery gave here the "All Clean". Topped up, to make sure, with 18 weeks of chemo. She was determined and started jogging, riding, bikling, you name it. That’s how we all know Jo, active and be the unstoppable force! A remission of 18 months. And the evil cancer came back. Jo was realistic and knew it would come back. Bad news but … “I am all right”, and she took it on the shin. Her mom died at 47 years, when Jo was 10. The same: Ovarian cancer. Jo had the genetics tested, diagnosed with BRCA1 faulty gene. The children where tested as well. The necessary precautions were taken, as both were diagnosed positive. Jo’s words: I gave birth to any daughter twice. Jo was the fighter, and wanted everybody to take the same precautions and actions. She informed all siblings about this evil illness. It safes lives and in this way you can stop any further faulty genes. Not all appreciated Jo’s help in the same why unfortunately. It mad her sad, but at least she tried. After remission, Jo went back on chemo. The cancer was spread, even to the liver. The PARP medication, targeted for the BRCA1 gene did not work. Jo’s genetic BRCA1 gene mutation was so rare. One after the other chemo treatment since. A really rollercoaster, from 3 weekly, to biweekly to weekly or daily chemo tablets. She tried it all, she did not gave up. One with averse allergy reaction, where Jo nearly went into cardiac arrest and coma. The doctors could not believe she was still around with a blood pressure off 25. Jo’s words when she came out of conscious: “I am all right”, and looked around when about 15 doctors and nurses surrounded her. Since end March, the medical world could not help Jo any longer. Palliative care. It was her wish to stay at home. Spend time with children and grandchildren for the time left. Covid-19 did not help. In hers and every bodies safety, no visitors could enter the house and come and see her. She said: "I am not scared of dying, but scared for what I am gonna miss out about the children and grandchildren”. Her children and grandchildren were her world and meant everything to her! As expected it did not go any better. Here activities were less and less. Due to the weakness she only could do a walk to Carole’s for a cherry. Then only to the back of the garden, then only to the toilet. After all she had to stay in bed. The last few weeks went downhill fast. Could not take any food. Tumours went so big. Organs where shutting down. But her spirit and brain was still functioning. She was determined to finish an album for the kids, about her father, their grandfather - letters and pictures of D-Day and his love with mon, Jo’s mom. The photo albums arrived the day before Jo passed way. Mission accomplished! A woman full of determination. You cannot imagine how the NHS helped and supported. Hospital bed, wheelchair, commode, ... You asked and it was there next day. Nurses had to come in for giving the meds via syringe driver. A daily back up for myself. Just to make sure that I, Cinderella or Florence Nightingale, does the right job… Doctors, Macmillan nurses, calling so often, to see if we needed anything. We cannot express so much appreciation of those sending cards and flowers. Jo liked flowers and she so much every gesture she received! Villagers supplying flowers weekly, text messages daily, …. What a place we life! So so grateful!!! And not to forget the chemo department in Royal Derby Hospital, oncologist, how hard they tried. It did not work out for Jo, but how appreciation we had for them. I have been so fortunate to be able to look after Jo and give her the care she wanted. We made all arrangements, so she could see the children and grandchildren till the last day. Laura and Mike have been so strong and good for their mom. Jo was so happy and proud! Carol, who had always been a sister and mom to Jo, popped in to say hello on a regular base. Lady Fiona, could not resist either and came to comfort Jo. Thank you for those who have been made aware so far and send messages, letters, cards, … The responses are overwhelming and it confirms to me, that she was not only wonderful and amazing to me, but to so so many others! Jo was one in a million. Gentle, social, smart, beautiful, kind, ... I will treasure the fun we had in those 23 years so deeply. I made some promises to her. One of them: “Do not end up a grumpy old man”. And of course her wishes for the funeral and beyond. For everybody’s safety and Covid-19 regulations, it will be a service with limited attendees. The invitees will be notified by myself. I will make further announcements on when and where you can see and greet Jo for a last time. And … she loves Flowers! And in Jo’s words … Keep smiling! Patrick |
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