In Memoriam – Patient Tributes to Joanne

After hearing the news of Joanne’s death a couple of months ago, a few of her patients emailed us to pay tribute to her. Here is a little of what they had to say:

Meaghan:

I didn’t know Joanne very well, but she was just a really nice person.  Always a pleasure to spend time with, even if she was inflicting a world of pain on you!

Shirley:

One day, I walked into the clinic almost in tears and very fragile. I had a massage appointment with Joanne but asked to just sit for a while. She sat me on a chair in the massage room, put on soothing music, closed the blinds and told me to breathe deeply and concentrate on the heart chakra for five minutes. Then she gave me the most tender massage imaginable.

I thanked her for her care twice before she got that I was thanking her for her understanding and compassion.

Without knowing when her birthday was, I would take odds – and I am not a betting person – that she was born under Taurus, which is also my sign. The tributes that spoke of her loyalty, love of food, hospitality, music and travel clinch it. I often run myself down as being dull. Joanne was anything but.

She was in my life for a Season, often, at Sarah’s insistence. I have no idea how the painful arc came about, perhaps it was so I could meet Joanne.

Maria:

When I got the email to inform me of Joanne’s illness and subsequent death, to say I was devastated is an understatement.  The sense of sadness and grief I have felt since then has made me long for one of Joanne’s massages to make me feel better!!!

Joanne, like me, loved to chat.  We could often talk about 20 different topics in the space of 10 minutes!!!  Her positive attitude was infectious and I always walked away feeling uplifted in some way.

Joanne was passionate about her work and was a truly gifted therapist.  I will be forever grateful that she came into my life.  Her advice, treatments and wisdom will be cherished always.

Ann Gilfoyle (Joanne’s mum):

I thought I would let you know of Joanne’s final resting place.

On Saturday 7th August at 10.30am , I arranged with the local parish priest, Fr Jim, to bless Joanne’s ashes before the Coastguards took us out to Swansea Heads to scatter them into the Ocean.