R.I.P. Auntie Jo...

Who passed away today, peacefully, and with some of her nieces and nephews around her (not me... I visited a couple of nights ago, and when my brother texted me this morning to say he'd been phoned by the hospital and told that she didn't have long, I decided that I couldn't be there watching every breath to see if that was her last - maybe that's selfish, I don't know).

My brother phoned about 45 minutes ago to tell me she was gone and, as he said, it doesn't seem real yet.

Auntie Jo (or Joanna, to give her her correct name) was 93 and, up until comparatively recently, was healthy (possibly down to all the "lotions and potions" she loved), independent (she was never married), hard-working, and - when we were growing up - she was a solace and a hiding place when we were in trouble with Mum & Dad (until I was 10 years old, we lived right next door to her).

She had a great sense of humour... I remember Mum saying that once they were standing out at the front of Auntie's house, and a young couple walked past, hand in hand. Auntie said, "That's a newly-wed couple." Mum said, "How do you know that?" and Auntie replied:

"Because give it 6 months and there will be about 3 miles between them"!

And then my sister tells of how she used to put on her record of "The Ying Tong Song", or whatever, and turn it up REALLY LOUD... only for it to be matched by the sounds of "The Old Rugged Cross" coming from next door!

There are so many other stories I could tell you about her, and so much more I could say, but I'll leave it at that for the moment.

Goodbye, Auntie Jo... I'll miss you... X