A quiet strength, a gentle heart

Jean passed away peacefully in Toronto, surrounded by her family, on November 10, 2025, just 3 weeks shy of her 97th birthday.

Jean was born on December 5, 1928, in Twillingate, Newfoundland and came to Toronto when she was 10 years old. She attended Central Technical High School and, upon graduating, was recruited by the Canadian Bank of Commerce where she worked as the Secretary to the President until 1954. She met her husband Bill at a resort in Huntsville, and they had 66 wonderful years together before he passed away on December 24, 2017.

In 1955, Jean was diagnosed with tuberculosis and in January of 1956 she left her toddler, Cathy, to enter West Park to have a lung removed. She remained there for 2 long years, during which time she wasn’t allowed to see Cathy in person. Upon leaving the facility she was told “the only good thing to come out of all this” was that she would never get cancer. In 1997 she was diagnosed with cancer. With no treatment availability in Ontario, a group of patients were sent to Cleveland where they received amazing care and enjoyed sightseeing excursions.

Jean leaves behind her daughters, Cathy Purdy and Louise Gaudet (Gerry). She was a loving Grandma to Christopher, Amber (Brent), Jonathan and Victoria, a cherished Nana to Lindsay (Ryan) and Jeremy and great-grandmother to James and Alexis. Jean was a devoted grandmother whose unwavering love, kindness, and encouragement helped shape her grandchildren’s lives. Whether over a cup of tea, a shared meal, or a phone call, she could always be counted on to listen and offer support. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy.

Mom was the ultimate volunteer. Whether it was canvassing for Heart and Stroke, carrying out duties as President of the Home and School Association at Runnymede Public School, running the Sunday nursery school at our church or assisting a neighbour in need, she was always ready and willing to help. She was an amazing knitter/crocheter/seamstress, loved doing crosswords and was an excellent bridge and euchre player……... so good that everyone wanted her as their partner. She always looked forward to her weekly bowling league and bowled until she was 60.

Mom was kind and considerate to everyone. She had a wonderful group of dear friends, old and new, who filled her life with good conversation, fun times and all the love and compassion anyone could wish for. She always said that she was so lucky and blessed.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Shirley, Susan, Clara and Wendy (crossword puzzle Queen), as well as Kany and Rose, who were a godsend to us during the last two years. You all made her life complete in different ways and will never be forgotten.

She went to a wonderful seniors’ day program at Reconnect for years where she had so much fun. Ismael, Mekdes, Izabela and Helen have become dear friends and will be fondly remembered for making Mom feel happy and loved.

Mom spent the past two years at Kipling Acres LTC, where she was treated with dignity and respect. We are sincerely grateful to the wonderful caring staff of the Claireville Unit, who brought her joy and comfort. Hugs to Charmaine, Velma, Tenzin and Tenzing for treating her like family, and to Pamela, Arho and Dorota who kept her laughing and entertained. Mom was the trivia and spelling bee champion of the Claireville Unit until the very end.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life, to share memories and remember a life well lived, will be at a later date.

Mom and Dad are together again. Hope they find a slot machine with a good payout.

Don't forget to check out the photo memories and please sign the guestbook.