THE FUNERAL of Jo Mary Sampson took place recently at Newlyn Trinity Methodist Church. Jo Mary grew up in Spreyton, Devon and then St Budeaux, where her father was the parish priest. Home-educated until she was eight, and with access to the large vicarage garden, Jo acquired a great love of flowers and wildlife that remained with her throughout her life.
She attended Plymouth High School for Girls and then trained as a Domestic Science teacher with Berridge House, a London college that was at that time – due to the war – based in Bournemouth. Jo left both establishments with glowing reports highlighting her hardworking and caring attitude.
Her first teaching appointment was at the School of St Clare in Penzance in 1943. A short while later Jo met her future husband, Jack Sampson, at that time a taxi proprietor, and they were married in 1946.
Jo Mary was a creative, adaptable and hardworking woman and soon took on the role of mother whilst assisting in Jack's next project: Blue Cafe, Cornwall Terrace, where they converted part of the existing cafe into a fish and chip shop. Amongst all this Jo managed to find time to make many of the clothes for their children.
When circumstances surrounding the transfer of the lease contrived against them, Jack reverted to his apprenticed trade of butchery and converted the former Alverne Inn to a butcher shop. There Jo made sausages, hogs pudding, hams and dripping, as well as legendary pasties and pies. When Jack died in 1978 she ran the shop on her own until the premises were sold to Ken Lavender, who converted it to Lavender's delicatessen.
With time to devote to her creative skills, Jo began flower arranging and became a loved and respected member of the local clubs. Ever one to help and encourage others, Jo ran several groups over the years, her aim being to show people that the art didn't have to cost a lot of money. She encouraged the use of local flowers, or flowers from their own gardens.
As a flower demonstrator her innovative skills shone through.
Some years ago Jo took on an allotment that others had refused, where she grew flowers and foliage along with some vegetables and fruit. It was a haven of peace for her where she tended her plants and listened to the birds. She had visited the allotment to pick soft fruit the day before her passing.
Active to the end, Jo passed on peacefully at home in her favourite chair, having walked to town and done her shopping.
Care
Caring for her family was of paramount importance for Jo and she worked unstintingly and unconditionally to this end. Jo Mary's two children John and Elizabeth survive her, along with a granddaughter, Morwenna and a great-granddaughter, Ella.
She befriended many people and touched the lives of a huge number of others. Many will remember her with canine companions, always long-haired dachshunds.
Newlyn Trinity Methodist Church was full to capacity for the funeral on July 1, a fitting tribute to a much-loved lady. Jo's friendship, wisdom and down-to-earth common sense attitude will be missed by so many.
Flowers decorating the church were crafted by Penzance Floral Club, with arrangements for the coffin by her daughter Elizabeth (on behalf of the close family), the Haven group, the Monday group and 'Fur, Feathers and Flowers' (where she was a much respected customer), with other family flowers from her niece and nephew.
Donations in lieu of flowers will go to the Newlyn Trinity Methodist Church, where Jo was a much loved and regular member of the congregation, as well as a prime mover for the Garden Club.
Funeral directors were Burroughs and Kearey.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN