Jo Kirkham, former Rye mayor and a councillor in the town for 54 years died on Monday October 20. She was 86 and still a serving councillor.
Paying tribute, the current mayor of Rye Andy Stuart offered his condolences to her family. "Although not born in Rye, Jo was a true Ryer. She did so much for Rye and was a pillar of our community for over half a century. She was the first lady of Rye."
He said he admired her conviction and her kindness. "She was strong-minded over what she thought was right, which was usually the case. What she said wasn't about her, it was always about the community and what was best for everyone. I really valued her help and advice and she was always worth listening to, sharing her wit and wisdom."
Jo Kirkham was mayor of Rye 1979-82 and last attended Rye Town Council on September 15 this year to take part in the co-option of a new councillor.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Rye Town Council highlighted her legacy of service: "It is with deep sadness that we have to announce the death of Councillor Josephine Clare Kirkham MBE, the longest serving member of Rye Town Council. Jo dedicated an extraordinary 54 years to the service of the people of Rye — joining Rye Borough Council (as it was then) in 1971. Jo also worked tirelessly to preserve the town’s unique heritage through her involvement with Rye Museum. Her knowledge of Rye’s history, her wisdom, and her deep love for the community were evident in everything she did."
Jo Kirkham grew up in Cheshire, attended Manchester University in 1957 to study geography and then became a teacher at a grammar school in Cheshire. In 1967 Jo and her husband Jim, who was a ship captain, moved to Rye as Jim was overseeing the building of Rye Harbour. She taught history and geography at Thomas Peacocke, Battle Abbey and history at Brighton University in the latter part of her career. Having always been interested in history she joined Rye Castle Museum in 1968 where she was chair from 2009 to 2023, developing the museum and researching and writing about Rye’s history. Jo has three children: Tracy, James and William and four grandchildren, Jessica, Elizabeth, Billy and Izzy.
Alan Dickinson, chair of Rye Castle Museum said: "Jo was devoted to Rye and the museum which she served as a committee member from 1970. She was untiring in her efforts to promote the museum and remained mentally sharp with an amazing memory to the end. Jo had a remarkable knowledge of Rye and range of contacts in the town which she was able to use for the benefit of the museum. Jo has left a wonderful legacy of completed projects at the museum, years of rewarding work as a teacher with Rye school pupils on local history projects and many publications. Jo will be really missed by everyone who knew her."
Her many roles in Rye also included being a JP for 27 years, a role she said gave her “huge insight into the difficulties that people were facing all the time.”
In addition, Jo Kirkham was involved with Rye Hospital, Rye Partnership, Rye Voluntary Action, St Mary’s Church and Ryesingers.
She also served as a Foundation Governor at Rye College and was the long standing chairman until earlier this year. Her successor Richard Moore said he was proud to take her place. "I have had the pleasure of knowing Jo for many years. I was a great honour after putting her application forward in 2013 to see her awarded an MBE for services to Rye which was so justly deserved."
Rye College Head Teacher Dom Downes paid tribute to her passion for the school. "Jo has been a member of the school community for so many years and served the pupils in many different roles. Her focus has always been on the children. We loved hearing her stories about teaching in the different buildings across the site. In fact, I keep her booklet on the history of Rye College in my office and refer to it often! The whole Rye College community would like to pass our condolences on to Tracy and Jo's family."
"She was a powerhouse among us," said councillor and former mayor, Bernadine Fiddimore. "I will be forever be grateful for all she taught me about being a good councillor but I doubt if I can ever be her equal."
Rye Town Council's meeting on Monday October 27 will begin with tributes to Jo Kirkham. It starts at 6.30pm at the town hall.
Rye News will have further tributes in coming weeks.
What are your memories of Jo Kirkham and her unrivalled legacy of service in Rye? Whether you were taught by her or worked alongside her please add your tribute by leaving a comment below or emailing info@ryenews.org.uk
