🕒 7 min read | By Kerrie De Palma ~
A Tribute to a Beautiful Friend and All The Strong Women Out There
Today, on Mother’s Day in Australia, I want to share a tribute to a remarkable woman who embodied the strength, love, and resilience of mothers everywhere. Our dear friend Jodie, who recently lost her battle with cancer, fought with so much courage, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire all who knew her.
A Legacy of Love
You have left a legacy in your children Jordan and Danielle, who are so fortunate to have had you as their Mum, and she knew how blessed she was to have you as her children. She was immensely proud of you both and expressed it frequently. KaZu, who can’t speak for himself, adored you, and what a precious gift to have had his wagging little tail in your life these past few years. Let’s not forget the mischief he gets into (that I just can’t watch, lol).
To John, your partner in life, we often think of the struggle for those fighting the battle themselves and forget about those who walk by your side as one of your biggest support systems. She was so lucky, and we are forever grateful you loved and cared for her as much as you did.
The Strength of a Woman
From your blonde hair to those bright blue eyes, charming wit, your laughter, a big kind heart, and always full of fun, you were a true inspiration to all who crossed your path.
Your strength, courage, determination and strong will to fight for life impacted your family and friends in ways you may not have realised. Your influence on our lives is immeasurable, and we are forever grateful that you will continue to inspire us for any challenges we may face, as I know we will think of you and draw on the strength and resilience you taught us.
Culinary Creations
You loved entertaining, parties, dancing, and having your friends over until the early morning, with funny stories being told in the weeks to follow.
We worked together for many years, and there was no secret about your ability in the kitchen. You were known for your chocolate chip cookies and your amazing banana cake. Whenever we had a gathering, we put our order in, not to mention your Mum’s dried apricot and choc peppermint log. I even bought the ingredients the other day, as it’s my absolute favourite. You’ve become a household name with your cookies; even my kids will say, ‘Can you make Jodie’s cookies? we haven’t had them for ages.’
The Matchmaker
I know a few of us will miss your messages on Messenger, trying to set some of us up with different people. You quite enjoyed being the matchmaker for your friends. I remember being up there with Melissa when we went out for lunch for Pizza at George’s Paragon Pizza & Wine Bar; a few guys would go past, and you would be like, did you see that bloke Kerrie? He’s a bit of all right. I’d be like, which bloke? I’m like a horse with the blinders on, and then I’d get this lecture. You know, Kerrie, you have to be open to looking. Your matchmaking skills were legendary, and it’s something we shall miss.
You were never shy in coming forward, that’s for sure, and I know that honesty is something we all loved about you. We always knew exactly where you stood. Although not the same age, we’re both scorpions, with our birthdays being four days apart. We would send each other funny memes if they popped up on Instagram, as we knew that was precisely us, and we were proud of it. We’re determined, ambitious, stubborn, passionate, and absolute fighters for what we believe in.
Your straightforwardness and authenticity were what made you so special to us. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to share something with you in Messenger this week, and then I’d giggle knowing you’d get a kick out of it.
Always a Positive Outlook
You always had a positive outlook and were living your dream life up north in Sunny Queensland. You maintained that attitude despite your illness, and if you weren’t on board with that attitude, you didn’t get much attention, as there was no room for the alternative in your eyes. Your positivity was infectious, and it’s something we shall strive to emulate.
I snuck you a PDF version of my book because I wanted you to get the chance to read it. When you finished, you told me how much you loved it, what an inspiration reading it was for you, and how it will be for others. You told me how proud you were of me, which meant the absolute world to me, and how you were going to buy some copies for the family and stated, ‘I want mine signed.’
Never Giving Up
In the workplace, you worked so efficiently and had such an ambitious drive, one you could always rely on to get the job done. There was never any handing back of work, as it was already done, and you’d be looking to help and do more. Many were in awe of your efficiency and ability to keep up to date. Your dedication and hard work were not just noticed but also admired by everyone around you.
You were always friendly and humorous and never backward when coming forward. I think many of us admired this particular trait in you; you knew what you wanted, you were never afraid to ask for it, and you backed yourself 100%.
None of us can imagine all that you endured during your time with cancer. You always showed determination, resilience, and strength to the outside world. No matter what you could have been going through, from the pain, broken bones, tumours, operations, treatments, travelling, and everything else you may have to deal with to get the help you needed, you never complained – You just got the job done!
A Beautiful Celebration of Life
What a beautiful day last Friday to celebrate the life you ‘lived’. We chatted all afternoon and heard more and more stories about you. Everyone in that room has so much respect for you and spoke of your courage, strength and determination.
Although I visited recently, I recall visiting last year, staying up late, and looking through photos with you whilst you told me so many stories of your late teens and early adulthood. What a ratbag, and only you could have gotten away with the things you did. So funny, from nights out to your shenanigans with Kel at Venture, your stories of Pinky’s and Tramp’s night clubs.
You talked of travel and all the places you had been, although at first, you said you hadn’t gone to many places. Reliving the memories, you realise you were quite well-travelled. Seeing all the photos, watching the funny videos, and hearing your laugh again was amazing and an absolute treasure to remember.
Strength, Love & Resilience
“As we celebrate Mother’s Day and honour the women who shape our lives, let us remember the strength, love, and resilience of women like you. Jodie’s legacy lives on in her children, as well as her culinary creations, positive outlook, and refusal to give up. May her story inspire us all to embrace life’s challenges with grace and courage.”
‘It was time for your ‘Kindred Spirit’ to be called home; and we are so lucky to have been blessed by having you in our lives and calling you our friend.
Although we may shed a tear with the beautiful memories when people pass, and they often say you lose a part of yourself that you will never get back, but I don’t feel that, as your love for life was infections. And I know that anytime we feel defeated, we will draw on your strength and courage to keep fighting for this beautiful thing we call life!
Today, we honour you with this tribute of ‘The Strength of a Woman.’
Until we meet again.
Kerrie xx
2 Responses
Thanks for this beautiful post Kerrie, very spot on! Mum loved you so much, admired the path that you were walking and was always updating us on your journey. You even inspired her to start writing about her own story ❤️
Thank you so much, Jordan!
Your words are incredibly beautiful and mean the world to me. I will treasure the friendship I had with your mum, Jodie, until the end of time. I have a feeling she will come back one day and write a new story and then some 💫
Kerrie xx