I just found out today and I'm so very very sad to hear the news. It's such a shame that someone so wonderful is no longer with us. We ate at one of our favorite restaurants Codfish Cafe last year and shared a bottle of Moscato. I made the cab driver do a u turn so he could pick you up closer to the restaurant and made him promise to help you out of the cab when he got you home because that's how bossy I am. I'd only known you for 5 years but I felt I knew you all my life. The times I've spent with you had some of the best in my life. Trying out new restaurants, wine tastings and the music and concerts that you were so very fond of. Some of my best memories are the Nick Cave concerts and the film festivals we went to. My all time favorite memory is the day we spent together at the All Tomorrow's Parties concert on Cockatoo island. The photo's you took that day will remind me of how special that day was. I will never forgot you Joanne, you were always a warm, caring and one of the funniest driest people I've ever had the pleasure of spending time with and I will miss you, as will all your friends and family. Dearly.

Dear Jo..I was so sad to hear of your passing,we had a great time growing up and it all came flooding back...running around Blacky,primary school days,I remember you being so proud to get a baby brother,your horse Fella,I was a bit scared of him but liked helping you feed him,our local pool days,so many summers,going to Manly beach and to the beach concerts,ice skating... now there are some memories,seems like yesterday,we all had the speed skates and thought we were so cool.Riding your bike, it even had a number plate with your name on it, I thought that was just marvellous,I remember falling over the handle bars one day as my beach towel got caught in the wheel..ah,to be so young again,roller skating,movies,shopping at Westpoint,the bonfire party setting it up,the excitement,now I am a parent I can see the horror in that,your gorgeous dog Honey and your wonderful pool,I wish I had photos of all those happy carefree growing up days.There were ups and downs but we had a good time.It is sad time goes so fast,people lose touch with each other,but I will treasure all my memories of those times.You were a good friend and loved to organise parties, outings ,concerts etc,always thinking of others,you were a gem Jo,a beautiful girl.May your journey take you somewhere wonderful... love always Linda xxx Don't think of Jo as gone away,her journey's just begun Life holds so many facets this earth is only one. Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and the tears In a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years. Think how she must be wishing that we could know today How nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched For nothing loved is ever lost and she was loved so much. -- Author Unknown.

Dear Jo, Our history goes back 40 years, hard to believe I know,the memories of climbing the mulberry tree in the paddock next door,riding our pushbikes in the swimming pool carpark and the bonfires you organised in the horse paddocks, let alone the mischief of our school days,In later years visiting you Norm and Kim at Margaret street was always fun.Hard to believe you are no longer with us but you will live on in our memories forever young to all who knew you.Your service was beautiful and you had lots of family and friends attend you would have been stoked my friend. Jo we love and miss you and may your eternal spirit be happy. Love to you Jo and we will meet again some day. Love from Louie....xoxoxoxo

My dear Joanne, words can't describe how I have been feeling the past week. The memories I have are countless. Even though our lives took different paths, I was so pleased to have seen you when you came over for lunch. You hadn't changed and it was like old times. I have been reliving the good ole days - the harbour cruises you'd organise, Yum cha in Chinatown, Vietamese at Marrickville, seeing the Cruel Sea and Hunters & Collectors. I will now treasure your last email to me and I will treasure the Claddagh watch you gave me after our trip to Ireland all those years ago. RIP my dear friend.

Dear Jo-Bee, The Whitlams, Full Cream Lattes & Bay Tinh - some of the best times spent together. We last spoke 2 weeks ago when you called to see how we were after the earthquake, I was so touched that you phoned and as always even though we hadn't spoken since January on our few days in Sydney we just picked up where we left off. We had known each other for 16 years, it only feels like yesterday. We are all so sorry you have gone, we miss you and send our love to your family, friends & a big cuddle to Minixi. We had known each other for 16 years and met through Norman on my visits to Sydney & while I was living there briefly. Can't believe you won't be there next time we pass through.

I have shared many fun times with Jo during our friendship over the past 8 yrs, she was a special person in my life. Someone who was always there when you needed them, someone that could always help you put things into perspective when needed. My favourite memory of Joanne was recently when I had dinner with Jo and our dear Julie at Jo's place and we all sat around the kitchen table discussing life in general, laughing and sharing thoughts, over a glass of wine and some take away Thai food, these were relaxing times that I will treasure forever and will always miss her smiling face and dry sense of humour. Love you Jo, may you rest in peace, you will be terribly missed but always in my heart. xxx

I have many lovely memories of Jyou o. An early memory was of you at Annandale when you and Norman tried out living together. We had a Sydney theatre subscription and enjoyed some great plays together. You alwys looked so elegant. We also went to the fantastic Leonard Cohen tribute as part of Sydney Festival I think you wanted to go because Nick Cave was in it. I shared a great 40th lunch with you and some of your her best friends at Drummoyne Rowers. I remember you were calm and brave when in RPA. The apple of your eye was Minx. You were caring and kind to me when I had a difficult time. You loved to dance at Petersham parties in the back room and were always a generous and sympatheitc friend. Jo I'm sorry I didn't spend more time with you this year. I will miss you Jo. Love always. Ann-Maree xxx

I always remember her giving me several beer coasters she found whilst on holiday up north several years ago. The coasters had my name on it - can you believe it, all my life, I have never met or seen my name anywhere. And on the coaster was: KEN LITTLE QUALITY FRUIT & VEG 43 Munster St, Port Macquarie Every time I look at it, I always remember her kindness and small gesture. With Regret and Sadness Little Ken

Just a few weeks ago, on Sunday afternoon, I drove over to Jo's house to pick her up and bring her back to our house for the afternoon and dinner. She was such a trouper as it was only tacos and some margaritas, but we had a few laughs and that was the most important thing. When I drove her home afterwards, we sat out the front talking in my car with the engine off but the hazard lights and headlights on. When it was time to walk Jo in, my battery was dead and we pissed ourselves laughing at the thought of her on crutches trying to help me push the car. We went in and called the NRMA and she made me a double espresso until the NRMA arrived. He started the car, I ran back inside and gave her a big hug and said goodbye. We talked a couple more times and we e-mailed but that was my last beautiful hug from Jo. I miss you Jo. I'm so sorry that this happened to you when you were so alive, and bibrant and such a brilliant friend. I love you, Julie xxx

geoffrey hyde

14 years ago

Dear Julie. Thank you so much for your beautiful words for my dearest daughter Joanne. my kind regards to you Her Father Geoffrey hyde.