Jean always said that she could never believe in reincarnation because there was no chance she could get this lucky again. Growing up in Montreal, she had an idyllic childhood with weekends and summers spent in the Laurentians. She always loved sports and was a certifiable bookworm from an early age. Attending Bishop’s University was a fortuitous choice; it was the perfect small liberal arts university to foster a love of learning. While still an undergraduate, another stroke of luck was meeting Alan on a blind date; he seemed very sophisticated as he owned a car and was at law school in Toronto. After graduating and attending a summer education course, and with more bravado than brain, Jean accepted a job teaching high school in a small rural town. This involved a steep learning curve as Jean was 20 and some of her students were 18, a shaky start to her years of teaching. When Alan and Jean got married in 1969 and settled in Toronto, it was the first time that they had both lived in the same city.
In 1974, they made the decision to move to Calgary which turned out to be an excellent choice for Alan’s career and a wonderful place to bring up a family. Alison was born in 1975 and Grant in 1978.
For Jean, it was always about people. So, for 27 years, the cabin in Canmore was always the gathering place for friends and family and celebrations. While Alan was pursuing his legal career, Jean threw herself into numerous community volunteer activities, with a long-term commitment to helping adults with literacy challenges. During the Calgary years and after, Jean and Alan enjoyed numerous trips to different countries, many of which involved hiking. A memorable 60th birthday trip was to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Annual ski trips to backcountry lodges with friends were another highlight of those Calgary years.
And then another fortuitous decision was to move to Victoria in 2011. This led to 14 years of new opportunities, wonderful new friends, community involvement and the chance for Jean to create a garden, which was an unanticipated pleasure. Unfortunately, the one unlucky thing was a sudden diagnosis of cancer. Jean leaves her loving husband of 55 years, Alan, her 2 children, Alison (Ryan) and Grant (Andrea), her 4 darling grandchildren, Amelie, Elliot, Cameron and Sloane, her 2 brothers Jim Berwick (Margaret) and Hugh Berwick (Jill d.) her sister-in-law Jill Lewis and brother-in law Tom Lewis, as well as her many friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM. There will be a reception at a later date in Calgary.
In lieu of flowers, donations, if desired, may be made to the Victoria Symphony Society or Decoda Literacy Solutions (Vancouver).
And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.
Raymond Carver
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Jim Watkinson
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Lyn Wray I got to know Jean as a fellow newcomer to Victoria. It was a delight to walk and talk with her, chatting about books, kids, travel and life in general. I can’t attend Jean’s celebration but will think of her on that day and many more. Deep condolences to Alan, Alison, Grant and other loved ones.
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Steve Book Alan:
We should all wish to be remembered as Jean obviously is. Thinking of you.
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Denise Dear Alan and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Jean and I worked together at the Calgary Learning Centre and we worked hard to make learning for adult students with learning challenges fun and interesting so they could enjoy studying like they never felts when they were young. Jean was an amazing volunteer in the literacy field. Jean passed away on the same day as my husband. Allan I wish you all the best during these difficult days, Denise Theunissen.
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Maida de Stein I just wished to offer Alan and family my sympathies. You know I have not been in touch for years, but I do remember years with Jean at Bishop’s most fondly. Most surprised to hear of her late illness – so sorry to learn through the Globe.
She was always a bright spark, a healthy lively woman who would live a long healthy life. I am glad she was surrounded by family and friends at the end. My condolences to everyone close to Jean, and specially Alan.
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Ray & Judy Alan, we are so sorry to hear of your loss and this great void in your life. You and all of your family have our sympathies and heart felt wishes.
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Mark and Julie Julie and I have many fond memories of Jean that we hold dear. What a strong, vibrant and intelligent woman that was a pleasure to spend time with. We’ll greatly miss her. Our heartfelt condolences to Alan and family.
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Barbara Bell Alan, please accept my sincere condolences re Jean’s passing. I will always remember her big smile whenever I think of her. Please pass along my thoughts to your family.
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Robert Wilson Grace and I were so sorry to hear about Jean. We enjoyed visiting her and Alan when we lived in Victoria and touring her great garden. She will be missed
Grace and Bob wWlson
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Bryan and Margaret Waller Always a cheerful and positive influence in our lives and a helpful addition in grape picking season.You will be sorely missed but always remembered in our hearts.
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Mary Lou McCormick Shocked and saddened to hear Jean’s sudden passing. She was an absolute bright light and an inspiration. Fitting that i should be writing this inside the fitness area of the Glencoe, where we worked, and laughed during of sessions with our trainer. My heart goes out to all the family.
I was saddened to read the Globe this Saturday morning and see the obituary for Jean. Great picture of her and her ever present smile. Took me back to those great times parties at McLaws in the late 70s early 80s. Sam Ingram and I use to kid her about her quiet life style. She always laughed that off. Deborah and I are out in Naramata now enjoying our retirement making wine and drinking it.