Newstalk ZB's Simon Barnett spoke about his wife Jodi's battle with brain cancer. Video / Newstalk ZB
Jodi Barnett was described as “utterly incomparable” by her family as she was farewelled at a moving funeral service in Christchurch today.
Barnett died peacefully at the couple’s Christchurch home early on Monday – with her devastated husband Simon Barnett and family at her side – after afive-and-a-half-year battle with brain cancer.
The 61-year-old wife, mother and grandmother – she and Barnett have been married 32 years and have four daughters and three grandchildren – had undergone four brain surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatment since April 2018, when she suffered a seizure out of the blue at the couple’s home.
Her fourth and most recent surgery was in January.
Jodi Barnett died aged 61 after living with brain cancer for years.
Simon Barnett – a prominent TV host and broadcaster with NewstalkZB – told those gathered at St Andrew’s College Centennial Chapel he didn’t know how he and his daughters would cope with the loss of Jodi.
Barnett firstly apologised if he sounded mechanical and then proceeded to give a heartfelt and eloquent tribute to his wife.
Many in the congregation were in tears.
“I do not know how I will cope. I don’t know how my girls will cope,” he said.
“From here on, my life will be lesser. I’m confident there will be times of joy, but everything from this moment forward will be without my Jodi.
Jodi Barnett, centre, with her four daughters, from left, Bella, Sophie, Samantha and Lily.
“Jodi is completely and utterly incomparable.”
She was not materialistic, never in want or need of flash cars.
He had mourners laughing between the tears when he relayed the day Jodi accidentally crashed into his brand-new car not once but twice outside their house.
The girls – Samantha, Sophie, Bella, and Lily – each spoke of their beloved mum who encouraged them in their studies at all times.
“I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss you, tucked in safe under your arm as your little girl,” Bella said.
“You spent years feeding me, braiding my hair and showering me ... it’s not very often children get to return that favour and I am so, so privileged to have been able to spend the past few months sharing those special moments with you.
