Our JoJo passed away on December 16th, 2013 after a shockingly quick 8 month fight with brain cancer. It was the hardest and saddest time that our family has ever been through. We are rejoicing now knowing that she is in Heaven and no longer suffering. We know that she has no more tears and is no longer questioning her illness or death. And, we know that God loves her the most and that she is completely and totally happy in Heaven with Him every day. But, we miss her terribly. It all happened so quickly. She was so young and we had so much to look forward to with her and with our families. Up until April 19th, 2013, JoJo was one of the most alive, active, and go-go people that I knew - especially at age 61. She and Tom were married for 33 years and had a wonderful marriage! They owned their own company and worked together and did just about everything else together too! They had more friends than anyone else I know and loved being a part of so many different things including their church, wine club, Garden club, their old and new neighborhood groups, Knights of Columbus, and the Women's Auxiliary group, and I am sure so much more. They traveled all over the world, went to concerts, loved spending time at their lake house on Smith Lake and their beach house years ago, and loved fine dining and wine. They loved their families and traveled often to Indiana to see Tom's family and to Florida to see Joanne's family. And, they raised two wonderful children!
I met Tom and Joanne my freshman year of college before Brad and I started dating. I think I met them when they came to move Brad home for the summer after our freshman year of college. I remember talking shoes with Joanne! They have always been warm and friendly to me. And, they were lots of fun and all of our friends loved them! When Brad and I got engaged, they were thrilled and welcomed me into the family with open arms! I remember JoJo telling me on our wedding day that she was so glad Brad married me because she thought it would be a good, solid marriage built on our faith in God and that it would last. I am so thankful for her confidence in God and in us.
Tom and Joanne have been great in-laws for the past 6 years! They are very supportive and respectful of our marriage and always so generous! And since JoJo has been gone, I look around my house and think of her all the time because she gave us so much that we have. They gave us big things like our TV and leather chairs as housewarming gifts when we moved in right down to the basic dish towels Joanne bought for me and the silverware and knife set that Brad (and eventually I) inherited from her kitchen. And, Brad and I loved our time together with his family each time. We all got together for dinner on a regular basis, met out for lunch, celebrated birthdays together, spent time at the beach and the lake houses together, and took a few big, fun trips together too! I am thankful for his family that is a stable, loving, fun, and so funny!
And, I think Joanne's best roll from my perspective was her role as Annie's "JoJo!'' She absolutely loved being a grandmother and was such a wonderful, adoring, spoiling, and fun grandmother! She couldn't wait for Annie to arrive and once she finally did, she came over almost every single week to spend time with Annie!
And once Annie was old enough, she wanted it to be one-on-one time and for me to go so that they could have their special time together :) She was always so supportive of me as a mom and always did things for Annie just like I asked her to do. She never doubted or questioned my ways or tried to insert her own. I was so thankful for her support and know that some mother-in-law / grandmother figures are not so gracious. JoJo was also always glad to come over and help me so that I could go to the doctor, get a haircut, or run some errands and I am thankful for her enthusiasm and availability to help me! Annie and JoJo loved each other so much and had such a sweet relationship! From the time Annie was a little baby, JoJo teased Annie that she had "stinky feet!" It was just a funny joke of course and made Annie laugh so hard! JoJo did the "bumble bee, bumble bee" circular hand motion with her too! JoJo taught Annie her last name. On several occasions, JoJo took Annie and me shopping on a couple of "shopping sprees" for several new outfits for Annie followed by lunch! She always gave her seasonal books about each holiday. She loved spoiling her at Christmas and each birthday. The last time JoJo came over to see Annie, we all played hide-and-seek together! That was just in early October. JoJo and Annie loved to spend time together and I am so, so sad that they will not have any more time here to make so many more wonderful memories together.
And, I am so, so sad for Nicole and Brooklyn too. I know that JoJo couldn't wait for baby Brooklyn to arrive and I know that they would have loved each other so much and had so many special and wonderful times together too. And, I am terribly sad for Nicole who I know is needing and missing her Mom now that she is a new mom. It is just not fair and I wish it could be different.
And once Annie was old enough, she wanted it to be one-on-one time and for me to go so that they could have their special time together :) She was always so supportive of me as a mom and always did things for Annie just like I asked her to do. She never doubted or questioned my ways or tried to insert her own. I was so thankful for her support and know that some mother-in-law / grandmother figures are not so gracious. JoJo was also always glad to come over and help me so that I could go to the doctor, get a haircut, or run some errands and I am thankful for her enthusiasm and availability to help me! Annie and JoJo loved each other so much and had such a sweet relationship! From the time Annie was a little baby, JoJo teased Annie that she had "stinky feet!" It was just a funny joke of course and made Annie laugh so hard! JoJo did the "bumble bee, bumble bee" circular hand motion with her too! JoJo taught Annie her last name. On several occasions, JoJo took Annie and me shopping on a couple of "shopping sprees" for several new outfits for Annie followed by lunch! She always gave her seasonal books about each holiday. She loved spoiling her at Christmas and each birthday. The last time JoJo came over to see Annie, we all played hide-and-seek together! That was just in early October. JoJo and Annie loved to spend time together and I am so, so sad that they will not have any more time here to make so many more wonderful memories together.
After her initial diagnosis and enduring two major brain surgeries, JoJo pressed on with incredible bravery and almost no complaining. The chemo worked well and the cancer was practically gone. We had a fun summer together going out to breakfast
meeting for lunch like we had always done, anticipating and celebrating Brooklyn Marie's arrival
and taking a family vacation to the beach in September!
In mid-October, she started feeling much worse including severe nausea, extreme fatigue, and some physical weakness. It was in early November that we learned the cancer had spread to her spinal fluid. Once again, she was so brave enduring so many tests, scans, pokes, and time in the hospital. She was even funny and witty too. And, up until the last two days, she was absolutely coherent of all that she was going through and of all of her family and friends surrounding her in love, support, and prayer. I know that she was so humbled by her sickness and weakness. And, I know that most importantly, she drew close to God and that He was there for her. We all treasured our time with her in the hospital and she loved having her family and friends around. She also loved to be prayed over. She was so brave and endured so much and it does not seem fair that she is gone.
I am so thankful and rest knowing these things:
celebrating Annie's second birthday
meeting for lunch like we had always done, anticipating and celebrating Brooklyn Marie's arrival
and taking a family vacation to the beach in September!
In mid-October, she started feeling much worse including severe nausea, extreme fatigue, and some physical weakness. It was in early November that we learned the cancer had spread to her spinal fluid. Once again, she was so brave enduring so many tests, scans, pokes, and time in the hospital. She was even funny and witty too. And, up until the last two days, she was absolutely coherent of all that she was going through and of all of her family and friends surrounding her in love, support, and prayer. I know that she was so humbled by her sickness and weakness. And, I know that most importantly, she drew close to God and that He was there for her. We all treasured our time with her in the hospital and she loved having her family and friends around. She also loved to be prayed over. She was so brave and endured so much and it does not seem fair that she is gone.
I am so thankful and rest knowing these things:
1) God loved her and prepared a wonderful place in Heaven where she is now.
2) She loved God and had a strong faith in Him.
3) She was so loved and cherished by Tom and that they had such a wonderful marriage
4) She raised two happy healthy children who are each happily married and now have families of their own.
5) She was so loved and supported by so many friends and family members near and far. She knew how loved she was by the constant flow of visitors
We all were reminded in a big way that nothing else matters in this world besides your faith in God and the love of your family and friends. We miss you JoJo and will always remember the wonderful wife, mom, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend that you were!
We all were reminded in a big way that nothing else matters in this world besides your faith in God and the love of your family and friends. We miss you JoJo and will always remember the wonderful wife, mom, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend that you were!
