Jo Hancock - she will be greatly missed

What a loss to the planet, to endless pub conversations, to the yoga clothing industry and to all of us.

I was never sure how someone so small, could have so much energy.

So a last toast to someone who challenged her fears head on, and lived for the day.

Richard

As Richard says, I was never quite sure how someone so small could have so much energy. During the very short time I knew her, Jo seemed to live life at double speed, and with about ten times the energy and enthusiasm of anyone else.

I didn't know Jo well but I'm very glad I knew her at all. My thoughts are with her family and her friends.

Bex

Thank you so much for bringing Jo to our party last weekend Daph.

I feel so very privileged to have been lucky enough to have met her, to have spent time chatting and giggling with her, enjoying her company and getting a glimpse of a wonderful woman. She patiently helped me craft a fine 'good luck' banner for the Kingsnorth 6, which we sat for what seemed like ages making together on Saturday night, and it will be treasured more than ever now.

I am very very sad and sorry that I won't ever have that privilege again, but also very grateful to have met her, in what turned out to be the last week of her life.

Sending lots of heartfelt sympathy to her friends and family.

Cheers Jo X

I am Jo's dad and I greatly appreciated peoples comments.

I was very proud of her what she had done, and hoped to do, with Greenpeace.

Love to you all and much energy for the future

Jo was my climbing partner, my ship-mate, my counter-balance and my friend.

We met in March on the Arctic Sunrise - thrown together in a Greenpeace action - we trained, climbed, explored, cooked, painted, laughed, cried and even made curtains! Jo climbed ships, cranes, towers, pylons and anything else she could.

I can't believe you've gone Jo, I'll never forget you. And if I ever go back to the Knock John Tower I know that a part of you will be there watching the sunrise over the North Sea.

xxx

I first met Jo at climbing training and recently spent a weekend with her caving, canoeing and climbing with the Dutch team. We had a lot of fun, and its been said before but she really was bursting with energy and enthusiasm.

That Sunday I spent a brief but intense time climbing with her and Harry in Avon Gorge, she was constantly patient and encouraging and we talked about how we would be together on a climbing action one day soon. I cant stop thinking about it.

We also sat and talked about life and love while she helped me to tie knots at climbing training over and over, endlessly patient when I couldnt remember the bowline! I didn't know her very well but I know she was feisty, determined and passionate.

Jo, you grabbed life with both hands and you inspired me to do the same - thank you x

Jo.......How can we come to terms knowing that
the sparkle which you gave us has been so cruelly
taken away?

You fizzed like a firework waiting to go off and amaze us
with your talent.

Your were an inspiration to us all.

You shone like a bright star, a precious gem that will live in our hearts always.

Bob @ Greenpeace

The other Jo, in the tiny harness, whizzing up and down the ropes, furiously tying knots, fearless, funny, focussed. How can she not be here any more?

Can I ask that any details of Jo's funeral arrangements could be posted here so that people who wish to attend can come.

I will post funeral arrangements here when they are known
Alan hancock

I'm so sorry to hear that Jo has died. When I saw her last week she was - as always - full of enthusiasm and positive energy, and was really excited about the prospect of visiting her sister Jenny in New Zealand.
Jo was a lovely person and always a pleasure to be around. I'm sorry I didn't see her more often.

My heart goes out to her family and loved ones.

Lara x

This is such a shock. Such a quick learner, so enthusiastic, so full
of beans and ideas. Always front of the queue to try some new climbing challenge, always giving her all.

I'm so glad I got to know her, at least a little, during climbing training, in the pub, up that bloomin' crane and playing with that pylon. She certainly knew how to attack life.

Jo, thanks for the inspiration.

Andrew

I can’t believe you’re gone. It’s such a bummer as I feel like there’s still so much of you to get to know.

Thanks for helping me so much by making climbing training easier – for always being on time, for encouraging others, for being the first in line to try anything new. And thanks for sharing your dreams with me in the pub after the last training.

I’ll never forget your cheeky smile, or the difficulties in getting you OFF the ship once you were on, or your lovely flower tattoo, or your email name – ordinary Jo – which was so clearly a lie.

I know you'll be either hovering around us on little angel wings, injecting a little Jo-juice when we get weary, or clammering to be sent back here for another round...

Wherever & whatever you choose next, it’ll be brilliant and I hope I’m around to see it.

Cat x

The funeral will take place next Friday, 19th September, which is her birthday. It is at Epping Forest Burial Park, Kiln Lane, North Weald, Essex, CM16 6AD. www.woodlandburialparks.co.uk
She will be laid to rest under a sweet chestnut tree. The Ceremony and burial will commence at 1 o'clock but arrive earlier - refreshments are provided in this beautiful spot - please bring food to share (Pot Luck)
We would rather people made donations to Greenpeace than bring wreaths or huge bunches of flowers. Prehaps a single flower and a donation, but the choice is yours.
Plastic wrappings and ribbons are not allowed only organic products.
Plenty of parking or Central line to Epping and then bus or taxi to North Weald
Everyone is welcome
It would be great to get a vague idea of how many will be coming on Friday so if you could drop Jo's sister, Jenny, a line at jenlistening@hotmail.com or ring 07827795367.
Also if you have something to contribute or would like to speak at the ceremony please let her know as Jo was a girl with lots of life and many different sides to her.

For those of you who are coming to Jo's funeral to celebrate her life, shared transportation is being arranged. We are awaiting confirmation of a Kings Ferry Coach - which offers carbon offset - to collect Jo's many friends from her home in north London to go to Epping forest, and later back to London. Please contact Jo's sister Jenny (details above) or / text Clover on 07957 593 611, to let me know if you are attending, so an appropriate sized coach can be booked preferably by Tuesday September 16.

Thank you,

*Clover

For those of you who are coming to Jo's funeral to celebrate her life, shared transportation is being arranged. We are awaiting confirmation of a Kings Ferry Coach - which offers carbon offset - to collect Jo's many friends from her home in north London to go to Epping forest, and later back to London. Please contact Jo's sister Jenny (details above) or / text Clover on 07957 593 611, to let me know if you are attending, so an appropriate sized coach can be booked preferably by Tuesday September 16.

Thank you,

*Clover

They must be really desperate or selfish up there, that they seem to demand all our best people..

I'll miss you, Jo. By God, I will.

Ciao!
Elwin.

Dear Jo

It is unbelievable that you are gone, especially from so far away but we still feel your loss and know that when we return to visit the UK one of our friends will be missing.

When we think of you, it will remind us to live for the day as you did, to be independent, and to work fearlessly hard to achieve our goals. You didn’t suffer fools and sometimes your straightforward approach would be a surprise, but you told it as it was and more often than not you were right.

Your skills when it came to making clothes and costumes and all things ‘fabric’ were inspiring and you were never too busy to share your knowledge and help others unconditionally.

So in future, when we sit down at the sewing machine we will quietly ask for your guidance, as we know you will be watching.

All our love

Sam and Fil

Dear Jo,
It seems impossible that someone always so alive and passionate can be gone.
I just saw you a few weeks ago at the Vyner Street festival, and you were so excited about your plans to use your climbing training to become a rigger.
I haven't seen you very frequently over the past couple of years, though we bumped into each other every now and again, and you were always supportive of my projects. You came along to be a rioter for the "Riot Pilot" show I did in Hackney a couple of years ago (no request too strange for you!), and you were going to come to my exhibition this weekend.
It was a privilege to know you. I'll miss you.
Will definitely be there on Friday.
Lots of love,
Michelle

Dear Jo,

I'm still expecting you to pop out from around the corner. Who will keep me in check now?

"Yeah man" you rock. You, just keep on, keeping on my girl. Come visit me in my dreams, or talk to me anytime you like. We'll have a good old natter, eat noodle soup and dance all night.

Many happy memories. Thank you for your support and friendship too Jo. A total inspiration. You were so happy when telling me about your James Bond Greenpeace action.

My thoughts and sympathies to her family and friends.

Love and Hugs,
Kylie xx

What terrible news. Jo was my cousin Nadine's daughter. I remember a bright, sparky girl with so much common sense and goodness. God bless you Jo, and keep you safe. Love to Nadine,Alan, Jenny and Gavin. From Carol, Stephen, Kevin, Michael, Debbie, Stephen and Susan.

Brave, enthusiastic, funny and a little crazy, that is the Jo I got to know during the Knock John training and again at my house during a training weekend almost a month ago. Thinking back I see her balancing on top of a pile of people and canoes, tackling the challenge of going through a sump in a cave, working for about an hour on the perfect order list for Indian food for all of us, talking about anything and everything. They are all good memories. I wish we had been given more time to make more memories.

Jo, thanks for everything.

I didn't know Jo very well, but having recently lost someone close, I can only imagine the gulf there appears in her close friends and family's lives, with the loss of someone so full of energy, determination and clean spirit. It is no comfort to say Jo will be sorely missed, only that people like her remain in our hearts and strengthen our spirits when we face challenges. Condolences to all who knew her well and who have lost a part of their lives.

To those who are coming by coach on Friday, September 19th...

We'll all meet at Jo's home from 11:00am, and leave together by coach at 11:30am.

For those who wish to, please dress up, or wear colour. Jo was a woman who loved dressing both up and down, so feel free to do the same. If Jo made you something, you may want to wear that along. Jenny, Jo's sister, has said that this is fine with the Hancock family...

We'll then leave Epping Forest Burial Park by coach at 4:45pm to be dropped back at Jo's home.

Get in touch with *Clover (07957 593 611) if you have any questions...

Thank you, and see you all tomorrow.

Be well,

*Clover

Hi,
My name is Gavin i'm Jo's brother. Thankyou so much for all your kind comments. In memory of Jo I have created a FLICKR account (found at www.flickr.com) where anyone can put up pictures of Jo or anything that she was involved in. I have created the account so that everyone can use it.
The details are:
Username: ordinaryjo@yahoo.com
Password: climbing

Everyone is welcome to put what they like on the page, hopefully we can create something that is worthy of her energy and vitality.

Love Gavin

R.I.P little Jo, your memories are never-ending. I'll take great comfort in knowing your an angel looking over us.

Love Karla x x

love you Jo.
forever.
and miss you so.
x
thanks

Enormous thanks to all those who came, you made it such an amazing heart warming experience
Alan

I met Jo for the first time in Dublin in December lastyear when she arrived in Dublin to do a direct action on the Spire, on O’Connell street.

She called me when she arrived and I knew straight away we get on well. On the morning on the direct action Jo was buzzing with excitement, Frank attached a weather balloon filled with Helium and we headed for the Spire and flew a banner up the monument. Later that day when we took everything down we saw all the TV news that we’d made and went for a pint of Guinness.

Later that day the Irish Government agreed with Greenpeace's demands to ban energy wasting light bubs.

here's Jo in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHM4wTzbjzo

You made a difference Jo, we will never forget that.

Will St Leger

Thank you to everyone who donated funds in Jo's memory for Greenpeace campaigns. So far we have received over £500 which is really appreciated by all of us working for a green and peaceful world.

Thanks to all of you for a beautiful day on Friday

with love from all of us here at Greenpeace

Hello to everyone who is still reading this blog.
I want to thank everyone who came to the Celebration of Jo’s Life on 19th September as well as those who could not.
I was very moved by your letters, cards and photos and grateful for them.
The weather was beautiful as is her bodies resting place.
I wish I had had time to speak to you all personally about your place in Jo’s life.
I have known some of you for a long time, many others I knew the names of, if not the faces, but you all had a strong enough connection with her to want to be there.
She would have been amazed and delighted – brought to tears knowing Jo – by your presence.
I hope all the loving energy we brought has helped her spirit rise into the light, fly on the astral plane and move into the Next World.
With many thanks from Nadine – her mum.

The last time I saw Jo was at Stokefest and she was buzzing with excitement about getting more involved with Greenpeace. I only meet Jo last year, in fact we spent her birthday getting very drunk in a bar in stoke newington. I can only echo what seems to have been the universal impression she left us all with ;a lover of life who seems to have embraced it all with passion, energy and openness. The world needs more people like her and fewer armchair grumblers like me and as my small tribute to Jo, I am volunteering to become a Union rep at work .I hope that we can all find a way of using a bit of her energy and keep her spirit present.we have all been robbed. with much love Jerome

I only heard the sad news yesterday, and i still can't quite believe its true... Jo and Jenny were really great to me when i was in London. Unfortunatly Jo went travelling (being an adventurous type!), and by the time she came back, i had retreated back to the sticks.
Like many others, i wont forget her energy and dynamism, and i'm deeply saddened for Nadine (who i remember as clear as if i met her yesterday), and for Jenny and Andy (i'm at least glad to hear of your marriage and your new addition), and those who were close to her, whom i never met.
The celebration in epping forest looked really wonderful, i would have loved to have been there, to pay my respects. Sadly, i was abroad at the time, but it hurts that i couldn't join you all.
I am in London for the climate change march on Dec 6th (a reprise of last year's rainy effort!), and i dedicate that day to Jo. No doubt she would have approved of my participation. Mark XX

Is this the lovely lively lady I bought the gorgeous pair of yoga bottoms from at an eco fair last year? I'm so shocked. What a sad sad loss to us all. I am so very sorry. I had been looking for her again at the Landmark's Eco Fair this year and wondered where she was, and was hoping her absence meant she was doing well... I had no idea. I wish I'd known her better.
Jennie Ing

I had the pleasure of meeting Jo last year at the Landmark eco fair. I had just moved home after living in NZ for years and had a stall opposite her.

She was so friendly and helpful for the whole weekend, and I was really looking forward to catching up with her at Landmark and the Eco Design Fair this year.

Im so sorry to hear such sad news and want to offer my sympathy to her family and friends, I only knew her for a brief time but Jo certainly sparkled and her energy and passion was inspiring.

So I find this out 2 years later.. I know we fought like cats and dogs and I hadn't seen you in years since you visited but was hoping to get you on facebook or something to see what you were up to then I find this damn thing on google search - was hoping that pciture wasn't going to be you as it was loading. Thanks for helping me with all the crap and shit I went though and for the time we spent together. Despite whay you may think I'll love you always calfie brown eyes.

Sean
xxx