I met Jo over 25 years ago at Tesco. We got to know each other as colleagues and then, gradually, as friends. She gave me a lift to a team do in London one evening, and that was it. We didn’t necessarily have lots of common interests but we just got on.
When we moved to France, Jo, Paul and Josh were regular visitors. You really get to know people when you are with them for a couple of weeks solid! This wasn’t always plain sailing; however my memories of Jo in France are all about fun, laughter and burning herself to a crisp by the pool! Jo was also great with my mum, who lived with us. They used to gang up on me, which they thought was hilarious! She had this knack of seeing the funny side of anything. We did laugh!
Jo also surprised me at times when she took an interest in things that I wouldn’t have thought were on her radar. She really loved taking photographs. We used to have photographic competitions between us, which we managed to keep up for quite a while, even though we were in different countries. Famed for her love of cooking (not!) she surprised us by making the most amazing omelettes. From then on they were a regular feature on the menu!
How do I remember Jo? She gave 110% to things she set her mind on doing; she was so very helpful - always supporting others; and she was such fun to be with.