The life of a much-loved wife, mother and founder of a cancer self-group is to be celebrated.

A service honouring the life of Jo O’Farrell will place in just over a week’s time. Jo, who lived in Bridport, founded cancer self-help group The Living Tree and was well-known for her voluntary work, for which she was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2009 but, despite this, set up The Living Tree three years later and continued to offer the Bridport community her help through many projects.

Jo assisted vulnerable people through the Pathways to Care scheme, which supports elderly and needy people in Bridport, and organised the town’s hugely-successful MusicAthon, raising funds for the Richard Ely Trust for Young Musicians and other beneficiaries.

Jo died on July 5, aged 68. She has been described as a ‘rare spirit who touched other people’s lives’ by The Living Tree’s Jo Millar.

A celebration of her life will take place at Bridport United Church, East Street, at 3pm on Monday, October 8.

Donations can be made in Jo’s memory to the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, 21 Back Lane, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, DT2 7JW.