Jo-anne Rowe is remembered as a wonderful woman
THIS week, on the first anniversary of her death, the family of Jo-anne Rowe (nee
Banville) remember her as the truly wonderful person she was. Jo-anne passed away on
November 29, 2016 aged 63.
Jo-anne was born March
23, 1953, in Wexford town, where she spent her early years. She was the daughter of Lar and Clare Banville, and step-daughter of Denny
Dunne.
Educated by the Loreto nuns, after her schooling she moved to Waterford to train in hotel management at the
Tower Hotel before moving to Dublin to work in some renowned hotels. During her time working in Waterford and Dublin she made a lot of very good friends, all of whom she kept in contact with until her death.
In 1972 Jo-anne married David Rowe, and from this time on she devoted her time to raising their five children: Richenda, Lisa, David, Frank and Derek, while also helping her husband on the farm.
Jo-anne adored her children and was a great mother to them. She took a very hands on approach in every aspect of their upbringing from taking a position on the local school’s board of management, to bringing them to their various activities during and after school. Education was very important to her and she fervently believed that a good education was the greatest gift a parent could give a child.
Jo-anne was an extremely sociable person. She had a huge network of friends with whom she would meet with regularly. She loved to entertain at home and was a fantastic hostess; cooking was one of her great passions in life.
She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She was an active member in the community and she made time for everyone that she met. She always had a sympathetic nature; she was kind beyond belief and that kindness extended to her love of animals and nature. She was a lifelong caregiver and advocate for animals and she strongly believed that treating animals properly is the job of every human.
Jo-anne was struck down with a virus which affected her immune system following a trip to South Africa in 2004. In 2005 she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and although treatments over the following years caused her pain and discomfort, she refused to let it get her down. Instead she continued looking after her family, meeting friends and concentrated on keeping fit by walking on the beaches of Kilmore Quay.
Jo-anne bravely fought her illness with dignity and grace, never complaining.
Her indomitable spirit and unwavering faith sustained her throughout her long illness, and particularly in her final days. She approached her death, much as she had lived her life, practically and with good humour. Her one source of sadness in the end was that she would not see her beloved grandchildren grow up. They brought her huge joy and pride and she loved and adored each of them.
Jo-anne is survived by her beloved husband David; daughters: Richenda and Lisa; sons: David, Frank and Derek; sisters and brothers: Clare, Miriam, Deirdre, Denis, Brendan, Declan and Dermot; grandchildren: Jack, Cerys, Teddy, Dylan and Leon; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and close friends.
I thought of you with love today but that is nothing new. I thought of you yesterday and days before that too. I think of you in silence as I often speak your name. All I have are memories and your picture in a frame. Your memory is my keepsake with which I’ll never part. God has you in His keeping. I have you in my heart.