Eulogy

Chapel Service celebrating the life of Josephine Mary Mitchell (nee PRENTICE)

 Lakes Golf Club | Monday 24th July 2023

Opening Music – Days like this – Van Morrison

Welcome and Opening Words

Good morning and welcome and thank you for being here as we gather in loving memory of Jo. With the spirit of love that each of you bring, this service is made even more special, and I know that Afton greatly appreciates the support and friendship that surrounds her family at this sad time. To celebrate her life and remember the many qualities that made her so special. Today we will give thanks for Jo’s life, and we will honour her memory with this dedicated moment of warmth and affection.

We are gathered together to honour the life & memory of Josephine Mary Mitchell, or simply Jo as she was known. Today memories will be shared, and you will feel a sadness that Jo will no longer be a physical presence in your lives; however, in spending this time together comes the warmth of a life lived, and love and many friendships shared – and memories that will live on long after we say farewell.

Every life has value and purpose, and every life deserves a ‘pause’ in our busy day to celebrate that they have lived amongst us. This service is a testament to that truth; it provides a special time of honoring and reflection, and it is a chance to look back on your memories in a meaningful way. Whether we let ourselves smile and no matter how many tears are cried, it is important that today we take this time to remember what Jo has meant to us and be thankful to have shared in her life.

Knowing Jo as you all do, we know she wouldn’t want today to be a sad occasion. She was a down to earth and practical lady, and she lived her life never wanting or needing a big fuss made of her. Instead of dwelling on the sadness, she would far rather us focus on the happy times you have shared and today we will have just enough fuss that her life deserves.

Jo was the mother of Josh, much loved mother and best friend of Afton and sister of Prue. To her extended family and to everyone here this morning, you were an important part of Jo’s life and I’m sure if she could, she would thank you for the love and friendships shared.

Remembering Jo (Eulogy)

Summing up a person’s life is a difficult thing to do, for no eulogy or tribute can truly capture someone’s journey. The memories, tributes and photo’s chosen to share today make up just a small part of the sort of person Jo was to you all. 

My name is Gina Brakey, and it is an honour to have been asked to lead today’s service. It is my hope that this morning will be a meaningful way to pay tribute to Jo, As you all take this time to remember Jo in your own special way, may you be reminded of how much she has meant to so many, shared different experiences with her, you have all known her in different ways and I’m sure there are many things you will continue to remember.

After meeting with Afton, I learned that Jo was a cheeky, fun loving, wild and loving woman and someone who had a genuine love of life and adventure. Jo was well known for her adventurous nature; she had a great sense of humour, and she was fun to be around. In her younger days Afton told her Mum was mischievous and wild and she was always looking for her next escapade – all traits that stayed with her for her whole life.

Afton shared with me a few memories she had of her mum recently – here is just a little of what she remembered..

Born in Shepparton, Jo was the eldest of two daughters born to Joseph and Norma Prentice, she had a younger sister Prue whom she remained close to throughout her life.

Jo grew up on a family orchard; her parents were hardworking and as a young girl Afton remembered her mum loved swimming, horse riding and being a ratbag.! She developed a cheeky and pretty wild side during her teenage years which stayed with her for her whole life.

Jo went to boarding school where she was taught the correct way of doing things and she left school knowing she was expected to get married and have a family – but not for Jo.! She couldn’t wait to explore life as a young adult, her first job was as a telephonist, she then had several office and admin roles. Jo lived life her way, she had many ‘loves’ and she oftenspoke to Afton about the relationships she had along the way.

In the late 60’s Jo met Geoff, they married in 1969 and Josh was born in 1970. They separated a few years later and Jo went back to her nomadic lifestyle; she travelled a lot and ended up in Narrabri where she met NZ backpacker Noel Mitchell.

Jo and Noel were both picking cotton, they started spending a lot of time together and married in 1983 in Shepparton.

Jo apparently said she wasn’t going to have any more children, then in 1985 along came Afton – and her arrival came amid a lot of excitement. Jo’s waters broke, Noel was trying to hurry her into the car, but she kept telling him she needed to put her make up on – Jo took pride in her appearance, even at the end stages of labour, lol

They ended up speeding along the Great Ocean Road to Geelong Hospital, police pulled them over and Noel ended up getting a police escort to the hospital. Afton arrived and a few days later Jo jumped out her hospital window to go swimming at the beach nearby – she told family and hospital staff that the salt water was good for her. She was strong willed, and no one would dare tell her she couldn’t do something.

Jo and Noel separated when Afton was 5 – Afton mentioned it was because her dad couldn’t keep up with her mum, lol – but they remained close. Jo and Noel still called each other for special occasions such as anniversaries and birthdays and they kept in touch with a genuine care for one another.

Jo and Afton ended up in Lakes Entrance around 25 years ago; Jo made a lot of friends, and Afton remembers there was always something happening or friends visiting. Jo worked as a cleaner and throughout all of life’s adventures, she knew how lucky she was to have a daughter who always looked out for her and was by her side through thick and thin.

Jo was very proud of Afton and of her career in the Navy. More recently, with Afton moving to Hawaii, Jo had to get a little better modern technology so they could video call each week. Being in the Navy, Afton has lived away for many years, but she returned to Lakes to visit her mum regularly and they had a special mother/daughter bond. Jo had photo’s all over her walls at home of Afton in her Navy uniform; a daily reminder to Jo of the one person she could rely on and who was always there for her, no matter what!

When Jo wasn’t working, she loved spending time in her garden and her favourite time of the day was feeding the magpies. Every day, without fail, a family of Magpies would turn up at Jo’s back door to be fed; they became more like friends and Jo would have mince and special treats for them. The magpies turned up at strict times and Jo was always waiting for them, she has done this religiously for years and years.

Jo along with friends Lynda and Luke to name a few, would often catch up at the Central Hotel and her drink of choice was scotch; even towards the end in hospital, Jo asked Afton to ‘pour me a little scotch’. Jo would also have gatherings at her place with the gals, calling it ‘carport cocktails’ and there was always lots of laughter and fun.

Over the years Jo faced her share of challenges, but no matter what she always pushed through, and nothing much ever got her down. She was strong willed and a little stubborn and she still was working up until 3 weeks ago. However, a fall at home was the beginning of a tough few weeks, and with Afton coming home she made sure her mum got the care she needed, and Jo knew how lucky she was to have her daughter by her side right to the very end.

Photo Presentation – music “never tear us apart – Inxs”

Jo has left behind memories of a woman who lived her life with resilience and strength, she taught Afton important values like work ethic, honesty and integrity, and she led by example what it meant to live with humour and fun. While not every moment was easy, Jo gave everything she had for that her family are so grateful.

Closing Remarks

The truth about a funeral like today is – as much as it is about celebrating Jo’s life and mourning her passing, today is also a reminder to all of us to think about how we live our own lives. Jo was a practical woman with a private yet modest lifestyle and if there was just one thing she would want us to take from today it would be to cherish life and don’t take anything for granted, and how we are simply just passing. There’s no question she has left before her family were ready to say goodbye, but we can’t live our lives thinking about all the things that might have been. It’s important that today we remember the things that we are happy for, the moments that made Jo smile, and in time these things will help you smile again.

Poem – Our final poem are words I feel certain Jo would want you all to know: Miss Me But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, Why cry for a soul set free!

Miss me a little – but not for long
And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me, but let me go.

For this journey that we all must take And each must go alone;
It’s all a part of the master’s plan
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss me but let me go.

Today we have given thanks for Jo’s life, and we have spent time reflecting on the impact her life has made. While we are united in sadness, we are also warmed and comforted by our memories. Let us leave here today enriched by these memories and with the intention of living our lives to the fullest, we know that Jo would want that for you all.

Jo was never one to be in the spotlight but today has been her day to be remembered fondly and proudly and I’m sure if she could, she would thank you all for being an important part of her life.

Jo, we thank you for the memories and may you rest in eternal peace Thank you…
Closing Music – ‘Sail Away’ Enya