With great sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Jean, who left us suddenly on March 7, 2025 leaving a void that can never be filled.
Jean was born in Farnworth, England in 1940. At just nine years old, she made the brave journey from England to Canada alone by ship, reuniting with her parents. At 18, she returned to England and began training as a student nurse. During a brief hospital stay for anemia, she met Ken, a registered nurse. To the surprise of their families, they eloped just four months later. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on December 27, 2024. In 1960, Jean and Ken immigrated to Canada to build a new life together, eventually settling in Ancaster, Ontario, where they raised their family. In 1996, they moved to Victoria, BC, to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren.
At the age of 40, Jean decided to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse, one she had put on hold to raise her family. After graduating, she worked as a post-op nurse at McMaster Medical Center in Hamilton. Throughout her life, she herself faced many health challenges and surgeries but met each one with strength, grace, and determination.
Jean and Ken shared a deep love of travel, exploring the world together. Their adventures took them to Italy, France, and China, as well as on countless cruises to destinations such as the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Annual family vacations in Florida were a cherished tradition while their daughters were growing up, so it was no surprise when they purchased a home in Palm Coast in 1993. For 20 years, they spent winters there, creating wonderful memories and enjoying a busy social life with friends.
After 12 years in Cobble Hill, they finally settled in Victoria again in a condo overlooking Beacon Hill Park. Jean enjoyed her daily happy hour with a glass of sherry, morning tea in “the office,” watching her favorite shows on her big TV, going out for ice cream, being by the ocean, and meals lovingly prepared by “Edwardo.” She treasured time spent with her family, especially during holidays. Christmas was her favourite—she adored decorating, particularly her lighted village display and Christmas tree, which she kept up well into March.
Jean loved her family deeply. She will be greatly missed by her devoted husband, Ken; daughters Cindy and Debbie, son-in-law Charles; grandchildren Matt (Lauren) and Austin (Mackenzie); and great-granddaughter Lily. They will forever cherish the love and unwavering support she brought into their lives. She is also survived by her brother Robert, sister Brenda and is predeceased by parents Inez & James Tatlock, sister Yvonne and infant brother James.
We miss her beyond words. May her love and bright spirit continue to shine and be with us always. We love you so much and know you are at peace now.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the emergency paramedics and Dr. Ward and team at Royal Jubilee Hospital for their compassionate efforts.
Jean wished to have a private celebration of life which will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the causes her daughters are connected to: the BC Cancer Foundation https://bccancerfoundation.com or the Victoria Hospice Society https://victoriahospice.org
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens
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Roland isaacs
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Wink Joan Fairbairn I was going through some old pictures and came across our nursing graduation picture. Jean was there with her ever present smile. We had a great time. Today I put her name in Google and her obituary came up. So sad. I remember fun times with you girls. I still have a chair that Ken made for my daughter .
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Caroline Parkinson Dearest Ken & family , I am SO ,SO sorry to hear your sad news & know you must all be devastated . Jean was a great friend & I remember all our fun times together. We were the dream shopping team in Palm Coast ! We got really good at explaining to Ken & Dom why we needed the things we`d bought !I have such happy memories of our times together, walking the Intracoastal path where once she told me about nearly losing you Ken, boating , cruising , dinners & drinks , visiting Canada etc. She loved you all so much & family was very important to her. Take care of each other as she would have wanted .I send you my love , prayers & a big HUG to you Ken, memories are precious. Caroline
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Larry & Caren Stencel Ken … Caren and I are deeply sorry to learn of Jean’s passing today here in Palm Coast. We both shed a tear. We will always remember and cherish the many gatherings we all had in those early days at each other’s homes. After we moved to Florida from California in 2000, the friendliness of the ‘hood’ was made all the more special because of those. Those gatherings of ‘the clique’ have never been recreated since all of us scattered to the four winds. We will say a prayer for her and hope that you hold up now without her.
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Joe and Sandy Rozon Oh! I am so sorry to hear this. I will always remember Jean and the visit we had with Jean and Ken in their place in Cobble Hill. I can’t name all the times we saw them when I was working for Black Press. My heart goes out to you Ken, Debbie, Cindy, and the rest of the Family. I am in shock, RIP Jean and know you will be missed by all those that you touched, not just your wonderful Family.
Joe and Sandy
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Tracy Berg I heard so many stories about Jean through the last 10 years of my friendship with her daughter Cindy. She was an amazing lady, mom and grandmother. Wishing Jeans family the best through this very hard time.
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Denise Smith Sending love to the family – she truly was an amazing loving human being – very honored to have met her.
Ken and family Deb and Charles I was saddened to hear about mums passing. She was a lovely women. Roland James and Jocelyn Isaacs ❤️❤️