

Nunda: Joanna Henrietta Margaret Kirk; our dear Jo, died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday evening, January 12, 2021 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester NY, from complications resulting from cancer treatment and surgery. She was 57 years old. She is predeceased by her mother Margaret Craig Kirk and her step mother Elsa Kirk-Boon. Jo is survived by her husband of 33 years, Charles (Chuck) Strickland in Nunda, NY, her father Robin S. Kirk and spouse Ina residing in the Netherlands, her brother Robert Kirk and spouse Tracy, and sons Matthew and Oliver, residing in the UK, her sister Georgina Kirk Becerra and daughter Lauren residing in Texas, her sister Mathilde Kirk and spouse Daan van Kempen, and children Alex and Elsa, residing in Belgium, and her brother Eddie Kirk residing in the Netherlands.
Jo was born in 1963 in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, and grew up in NW England in Lancashire and Cumbria. Always academically driven, she completed her MA in jurisprudence (law) at Hertford College, Oxford University in 1984, and went on to accomplish a post graduate diploma in jurisprudence at the College of Europe in Belgium in 1985.
In 1985 Jo’s adventuring spirit then took her to Colombo, Sri Lanka where she taught at an international school. There she met Chuck, who was in USG foreign service managing agricultural projects. They married in Sri Lanka in 1988 and traveled together to a long term USG posting in Nepal, followed by a Washington D.C. assignment, before moving to their farm in Nunda, NY. where they have resided since 1995.
Jo was a full time professor at SUNY Geneseo teaching in the faculty of the Sociology and Political Science departments. Her service at the college began in 1997 as editor and principle writer for college advancement publications. Jo’s love for teaching drew her into the classroom where she was in her element interacting with the bright, motivated students of SUNY Geneseo, and she received awards for her dedicated teaching.
Jo also had a passion for Yoga, which she studied for many years and taught regular classes in both Nunda and Geneseo, NY.
Jo embarked on so many adventures and projects throughout her life, there are too many to recall within the limits of an obituary. She was a bright, warm, loving soul who drew people together, and she will be much missed by students, friends and family all over the world.
There will be no funeral service. A memorial event will be held in late 2021 after resolution of the corona virus pandemic.
In lieu of flowers or donations, the family would like people to be kind to each other…strike a yoga pose and think of Jo.
