Joanne Griffin, 68, of Vancouver, BC passed away at home surrounded by loving family and friends on November 1, 2022 after a short and unexpected battled with cancer. She was predeceased by her father, Ernie Griffin, and is survived by her mother Amelia (Milly) Griffin, son Jason Bethell (Jeannie, Carson and Brian), brother Dan (Nancy, Karlynn, Trevor and Paige), and sister Carole (Chris, Amelia), along with multitudes of extended family and devoted friends.
Jo had life figured out way before the rest of us.
She started working for the City of Vancouver in the Taxation Department in 1974 when she was still in her teens, so by the time she retired with a full pension in 2011, the world was hers to conquer. Travel was her major passion. From her regular visits to Playa del Carmen in Mexico to Cuba, Malta, Thailand and an especially memorable trip to her grandparents’ hometown in Italy, Jo had a knack for finding the best local spots for great food, cheap wine, cute men, and rocking dance floors.
When she wasn’t travelling abroad, Jo spent her time in the company of her legions of friends putting money on the ponies at Hastings, dancing the night away at the Admiral Pub, and soaking up her summers at Pinantan Lake.
A Celebration of Life (“Just call it a party”, says Jo) will be held in a few months once we’ve all recovered from her sudden loss.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joanne’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society so that someday people won’t have to go through this.
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