Family’s loss

By Tania Martin
MONBULK has been rocked by the death of Johanna Jarvis who was renowned for her big heart and vitality.
Johanna, 36, was last week farewelled by more than 100 people who were shocked by the tragic loss of the woman who was affectionately known as the lunch-lady and the netball guru.
Johanna died on Sunday, 19 August, after her car ran off Monbulk Road and hit a tree near Silvan.
She was travelling north along Monbulk Road shortly after 12.45am when the accident happened.
Police said the car ran off the road north of White Street and collided with a tree.
Johanna was known for her love and dedication to her family, and for her involvement in coaching some of the hills’ up and coming netballers
She had also spent the last four years as Monbulk Primary School’s lunch order lady.
Principal Ray Yates said Johanna’s death had left the community dazed and in shock.
Mr Yates said that Johanna’s death had left a huge void in the lives of her husband, Jeff, and daughters, Kira and Lena, that would be hard to fill.
He said Johanna had big heart and was always looking out for children in the community.
“She was a very dedicated and outgoing person and always shared her time and supported the local community,” he said.
“Often if there was a child without lunch she would bring something down and refused to be paid – she did it to support the children,” he said.
Mr Yates said Johanna was also passionate about providing the children with good, healthy food.
She had even introduced new and healthy food choices for the children into the lunch orders.
Close friend Katrina Rogers said Johanna lived life to the fullest.
“She loved her netball girls and was such an easy going person,” Ms Rogers said.
Ms Rogers said everyone loved Johanna and that her death had rocked the whole community.
But she said it was fantastic to see people pulling together to celebrate Johanna’s life.
“I didn’t realise how many friends she had – if only she was here to see this, she would have loved it – people pulling together to support her family.”
Mr Yates also said it had been fantastic to see the community helping the Jarvis family.
He said the whole community worked together make the funeral arrangements.
Mr Yates said although the funeral was now over, it was still important to keep giving the family ongoing support.
“Let each of us commit to the long-term support to the Jarvis family,” he said.