June 12, 2023
In loving memory ~
Jean passed away peacefully at Tsawaayuus (Rainbow Gardens) in Port Alberni on Monday, June 12, 2023, at the age of 91. Jean's family wish to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Rainbow Gardens for the kindness and compassion they've shown in caring for Mom these past two years.
Jean and her husband Ed settled in the Comox Valley in 1963, and Jean is well known in the valley as an accomplished piano teacher, organist, band and choir leader and schoolteacher. Her long professional career as well as her generous volunteer activities have made a significant and lasting contribution to the Comox Valley community.
Jean and Ed poured countless hours and energy into establishing the SPCA in the Comox Valley. Dogs, cats, seals, fawns, raccoons, horses, as well as an astonishing array of birds, including a bald eagle and a very cute baby pygmy owl, all called Jean and Ed's home their own before the SPCA shelter was built.
Jean was also a dedicated volunteer, lending her inimitable energies and talent to riding for the disabled, teaching sewing classes at the community centre, delivering Meals on Wheels, and volunteering in the Emergency Department at St. Joseph's Hospital, all well into her 80s!
The pinnacle of Jean's contributions to the community as a volunteer was her involvement as an integral part of the development of the "reading to dogs" program in Comox Valley elementary schools. Jean devoted her later years to training her dog Sheba to be a therapy dog; specializing as a reading therapy dog. Sheba's presence in the classroom enabled many children to gain confidence in their reading abilities as they practiced reading aloud to Sheba.
Jean is predeceased by her husband Ed to whom she was married for over 40 years, and by her sister Lorna Mae Merriman. She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children Kathy, Bruce (Darcy) and Barb. Grandchildren Kurtis (Cathrine), Elyse (Chadd), Michael (Katelynn), Lukas (Kaila), and great-grandchildren Noah, Roman, Forest, Luna, London, Aria, and Elina, as well as her sister Lola Thornton and many nieces, nephews and greats.
A memorial service to celebrate Jean's life and faith will be held at the historic St. Saviour Anglican Church on Denman Island on July 30, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Jean's family has fond memories of trips to Denman Island to attend the little church at the top of the hill where Mom played the pump organ for many years. Everyone is welcome to join the family to attend this special service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jean's memory to the SPCA.