August 9, 1936 – November 8, 2025

Josephine Sarah Kirby (nee Thompson) passed away peacefully on November 8th, 2025.

To her friends and family, she was known as Jo. 
She had a full and complex life. Born in England in 1936, she grew up with her Aunt and Uncle in the countryside after being evacuated from near London. The war rations had left her ill, so, as a young lady, she was sent to be an au pair in Basra, Iraq, where she met Gerald, whom she would marry shortly thereafter.

The married couple were sent to Jakarta, Indonesia, as Gerald was working as a shipping inspector. They had their first child, Judy, and were later sent to Bombay, India, where their second child, Liz, was born.
In 1969, they immigrated to Canada with their two little girls to start a new life. They worked for many years on a farm in Chilliwack, and when Gerald died, Jo moved to Osoyoos to be near her daughter Judy.

Jo was a vibrant part of the community, singing with “The Triple O’s” and serving on the Osoyoos United Church Council. She always maintained her faith and would be able to put a humorous spin on most situations.

She is predeceased by her husband, Gerald and her parents, Ernest and Elaine Thompson.
Jo is survived by her daughters Judy Sloan (Barry) and Liz Anderson (Mark); grandchildren Sarah Sloan (Joshua), Adam Sloan (Brittany), Robert Anderson (Sarah) and Jennifer Anderson; as well as great-grandchildren Mason, Hunter, Kayden, Augustus, and Aulus.

A service for Jo was held on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, at the Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the BCSPCA in honour of Jo’s love of animals.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com