11/02/2025
The Following is a Tribute from Jo's sister in law Mary
With broken hearts and unfathomable sorrow the Poeder and Isidorou family announces the passing of Johanneke Poeder. She left us at 11.2.2025 on her adopted island of Samos.
Jojanneke Margreet Poeder was born on April 7, 1972 in Groningen, Holland to Johann and Margreet Poeder. She grew up in a home filled with art, books and unmeasurable love. She is the sibling sister to Jochem and Wessel. As she was very adventuresome at a young age, after finishing high school she traveled to South Africa by herself and stayed for six months. In June 1996 Jo graduated from the University of Groningen earning a law degree. In September 2000 her travels brought her to the island of Samos where she met Nik Isidorou. Not only did she fall in love with the island, but she fell in love with Nik. After six months of daily emailing Jo decided to resign from her position and move permanently to Samos to be with Nik.
Although coming from different backgrounds they formed a cohesive and loving partnership. Jo’s hard work and glowing smile endeared her to all the customers of” Chesters”, the family business. Her wonderful smile, her warmth, her genuine kindness made Chesters a Dutch hub of activity. She was the pillar of this restaurant. She gave her all, her hard work, her time, her energy. She made Chester’s what it is today.
Jo and Nik experienced many difficulties but they endured as a couple. Jo’s tenacity and heartfelt love for her husband and children translated to living a life that she enjoyed. She always marveled and was grateful where she ended up in her life. Nik’s familial chaos was no match for Jo’s positivity and forgiveness. Her love and kindness encompassed the whole family from her niece, nephew and a very sick father-in-law. The Isidorou family will always be indebted to Jo for the care and attention that she gave to her father-in-law for three years.
As her illness became apparent she never stopped fighting or smiling. Throughout this devastating journey she was a warrior. Her strength was unstoppable. …….. A fighter with a smile.
Jo’s legacy is her two wonderful children. We see Jo’s kindness through her son, Joshua and Jo’s tenacity in her daughter Zoi. These children knew unconditional love and unwavering support from their mother in all things.
Not many times in one’s life do you meet someone that is the epitome of goodness to leave a permanent mark in your life. But when you met Jo you saw that all these wonderful qualities were all in her. She was loved by everyone who met her from visitors from around the world to all her local friends she befriended over the years in Samos. She was called "the angel with the smile" on your nightly walk on the streets of Votsalakia or sitting down somewhere, look up to see a twinkling star...that is our beloved Jo. Her tired body and beautiful heart are finally at peace, You will always be in our hearts and loved. Our precious Jo 💖
