Jo Harrison

Exeter Quilters lost a much loved member and friend when Jo died on 16th November 2016. Many members have responded, and all say the same: Jo was kind, humorous, helpful, generous, lived life to the full and always left you with a feeling of warmth. She was an unsung hero and pillar of Exeter Quilters.

Jo moved to Exeter when she retired as a teacher and never looked back. To be honest she didn’t make many quilts — she was too busy attending local history meetings, art exhibitions, Topsham Flower Club, the Caledonians, helping children with National Trust sewing projects or visiting friends and family. By the time she got round to sewing she had often misplaced the materials. Where she excelled was in fund raising — Jo was always the first to be selling raffle tickets and organised the sales table at our shows. This year alone Jo, with her team, raised over £2,000 for charity. 

Jo loved traveling and went on three Exeter Quilters foreign holidays to Houston, Texas and twice to Alsace, France. She was a wonderful traveling companion, always relaxed and with an endless source of subjects for conversation and laughter. Easy going she could still let you know if she felt strongly about something, and do it without causing offence.

Jo had been in ill health for some months, but typically she didn’t make any fuss and carried on as normal until September when her condition deteriorated. Even in hospital, and knowing she was terminally ill, she could still smile and take an interest in life.

Thanks to Jo's popularity and to the generosity of Exeter Quilters and Topsham Flower Club, we were able to send £300 each to CICRA, Men In Sheds and Hospiscare in her memory.

Jo will be sorely missed by us all. I think the final comment sums up the feelings of so many of us:

“There will always be a little corner in my heart for Jo”.