A “FUN, loving and doting” York mum has died of skin cancer, aged only 38.
Jo Grassby was diagnosed with terminal cancer a few weeks before her death on Sunday, and now her friends and family hope to raise awareness and research into the deadly disease, and the dangers of using tanning booths.
Jo had been a habitual user of sunbeds in her teens, which resulted in her having a cancerous mole removed from her back when she was 33.
She was given the all-clear, but then, while holidaying with husband David Grassby, daughter Beth Watson, 11, and sons Ellis Grassby, seven, and Connor Grassby, five, in Great Yarmouth in April this year, Jo complained of a crippling back pain.
Days later doctors told Jo, of Burton Stone Lane, the skin cancer had returned and spread to her lungs and spleen, and was terminal.
In the early hours of Sunday after taking a turn for the worse, Jo was taken to St James’s Hospital, Leeds.
Sarah Watson – Jo’s stepdaughter from her first marriage and Beth’s half-sister – said: “Her children came to sit with her and David was by her bedside when she died at tea-time. She just went to sleep peacefully.”
Poignantly, Jo’s own mother had died of cancer, also at the age of 38.
Jo grew up in Leeds and moved to York in her 20s where she began her career at Nestlé before moving to a job she adored – an administrator for York Hospital’s maternity ward.
Sarah has paid tribute to Jo, who she described as a “doting mother” to her three children and two step-children, Amber Grassby, 13, and Leah Grassby, 11.
Sarah said: “She was just so fun and full of life. She knew how to enjoy herself and she and Dave were known as the hosts of the group – their door was always open for parties and barbecues. Jo was a great friend and adored her children and Dave.
“She was just a loving, warm and honest person who would do anything to help others.”
Sarah said: “Beth has been incredibly brave. She, like the rest of the family and friends, is more determined than ever to raise awareness of cancer, which has touched us all.”
Sarah and Beth, together with friends Sara Worker and Alison Cole, will join thousands of other women in the Race for Life at Knavesmire on Sunday, June 19, to raise cash for Cancer Research.
Along with other friends, they have also organised a Pink Party charity night to raise cash for the charity. The event will be an evening of live entertainment, raffles and food.
Sarah said: “After Jo was told she had terminal cancer she was very determined – she had a fighting spirit.
“She wanted to raise awareness of the deadly dangers of sun beds and raise awareness for Cancer Research.
“It was after we were told the cancer was terminal that friends and family really wanted to do something for the charity. We had planned to do Race For Life and we also came up with the idea of a pink party.
“Jo was determined to go – she had even planned her outfit of pink pyjamas and glittery pink slippers.”
The Pink Party will be held in the Post Office Social Club, Marygate, from 7pm on June 16. Tickets are only £3, but have proved so popular that nearly all of them have been sold in advance. Sarah has asked for special thanks to be given to the Dean Court Hotel, Tesco, and Alexander Cards in Selby for their support.
To sponsor the team, donate prizes and see further details about the Pink Party visit justgiving.com/teams/thepinkparty1606
For tickets, phone 07805 065050/ 07545151029 or email poppy0107@hotmail.co.uk
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