“Joanne was always happy and smiling”

Joanne Woodcock, of Chaffinch Mews, Gateford, passed away peacefully at Bassetlaw Hospice in February.

This week her mum Susan Vallow and aunt Pauline Gretton paid tribute to a ‘beautiful’ and ‘bubbly’ woman who loved her life and family.

“Joanne was always so happy and smiling - her husband Chris used to say she made a house a home,” said Susan.

“She absolutely idolised her two Shih Tzu dogs Max and Bobby - she used to call them her boys.”

Joanne grew up in Woodsetts and attended Dinnington Comprehensive until she was 19, before starting work at the King William IV in Oldcotes and later at the Half Moon in Whitwell and Ashley in Worksop as assistant manager.

She worked as a care assistant at Rufford Care Home for two years before moving to Forest Hill Care Home last summer.

“She absolutely loved her job and was very well thought of. She loved caring for people and was a real people’s person who got on with everybody,” said Susan.

Joanne’s health took a turn for the worse in September 2011 when she was diagnosed with cancer after problems with a mole on her back.

She got the all clear but the cancer returned a year later, spreading to the rest of her body, including her lungs and spine.

Joanne’s health deteriorated further after her November wedding. She was admitted to Bassetlaw Hospice where she passed away on 27th February.