Peacefully, on June 27, 2012, in Montague, P.E.I, her home for the last 10 years, after a tough, hard-fought 13-month battle with mesothelioma (cancer caused by exposure to asbestos).
She was born in Ottawa, September 2, 1950, daughter of the late Edna Daley and James Downey. She is survived by siblings Maureen, Martin, Colleen and Loraine, several nieces and nephews and many aunts, uncles, cousins and loving and devoted friends in P.E.I., Ontario and world wide.
She was a graduate of Glebe Collegiate in Ottawa and Mohawk College and McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Her career in social work was long and distinguished. Her last position was as Co-ordinator of Hospice at Kings County Memorial Hospital in Montague, where she spent her final days in the loving care of medical staff and her amazing and dedicated friends. There is a special place in heaven for those angels. Never afraid of a challenge, at age 31 she started running, eventually becoming an ultra-marathon runner competing in runs around the world and in 1994 she was the first woman to run across Canada, completing 7,250 kms. in 111 days. Like her career in social work, she was well-respected for her enthusiasm, dedication and "stick-to-it-iveness" attitude that was with her to the very end. Her awards and accomplishments as a runner and social worker, specializing in behaviour modification, are daunting.
A memorial to honour Jo will be held on Saturday, July 21, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church Parish Hall in Sturgeon, P.E.I. from 7-9 p.m.
Donations, if desired, would be welcomed by the Hospice of Southern Kings County Inc., PO Box 893, Montague, P.E.I., C0A 1R0, or donate your time and talents to a local hospice. She would like that.

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