Joanne Yvonne Kirkwood

Jojo, beloved mother to Rya Kirkwood Prozes & Andrew Bran Kirkwood will be sadly missed. She was born in Vancouver to Joan Ethel Turcotte and Gordon Louie Turcotte “Baba”. She was one of five children and is survived by Nicky, Shelly, and Mike. She was preceded in death by her eldest sister Gail.

Jojo was known for her warmth, kindness, humour, adventures and passions. She was a loyal and loving sister, mother, grandmother and friend.

As an adventurer; She lived in Whitehorse Yukon and In 1972, Jojo alongside her husband at the time Tony Kirkwood moved to Whistler B.C and started “The Fitzsimmons Ski School”. They owned and operated it for 5 years on Whistler Mountain. Skiing and teaching were among Jojo’s earliest pursuits. Jojo’s passions expanded from skiing and travels to cooking and baking. After her years in Whistler, she went on to complete Chef school in Vancouver and specialized in wedding cakes and baking. Jojo’s culinary treats have been enjoyed by many over the years especially her friends and family.

Some of her other adventures involved worldly travels. She was a passionate historian and read voraciously about ancient civilizations; which prompted many of her travels. She rode camels through the Sahara desert, climbed the pyramids (when you still could), floated in the dead sea, visited temples from Jordan to Bali, to Mexico and so much more.

Her other passions were family, friends and gardening. After Vancouver she happily moved to the Sunshine Coast, and then eventually settled in Tofino and Port Alberni to be closer to her family and grandchildren. All of her homes along the way looked like Butchart Gardens, her green thumb and love of gardening always shone.

Jojo cherished her friendships, she was everyone’s safe haven and warm heart. Her door was always open for a cup of tea for friends from all over. If you were a part of Jojo’s friendship circle you were in forever. She was kind, loyal, loving, and fun. There was never a dull moment with Jojo, she made you laugh and she was always giving. She knew that friendships, like gardens, take love and work to maintain and flourish, she was always willing to put in the effort. She loved her friends.

Jojo made it a point to be as engaged as much as possible with her grandchildren. From babysitting, to doing ABC’s, drawing and colouring, cooking and baking, gardening, attending school performances, volunteering at the community educational gardens, the list goes on. She poured herself into her four incredible grandchildren; Jojo cherished them deeply; Grayson (14), Sadie (10), Avery (9), and Hunter (7).

They will all remember her amazing dinners, yummy cookies, delicious cinnamon buns, and big warm hugs. Jojo you will always live on through your grandchildren.

We will miss you every single day. Enjoy the bus and being with Ruby. Walk the beaches and send us rainbows. We love you mom.

The family will be hosting a private celebration of her life in true Turcotte style, a family BBQ in the Summer.

A special Thank You to Dr. Kristine Woodley and her palliative team for being our angels when mom was ready to transition peacefully. You and your team will be forever remembered by us.