Jean died peacefully after a brave battle with cancer on August 27th, 2026, in Victoria, BC, cutting short the life of a most loving, caring and generous person. Jean was born December 8, 1952, in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Jean is survived by her husband, Bob, and her children Heather (Mark) Arkell, Laura (Trent) Dooley and Carolyn (James) Macdonald; grandchildren Madison Dooley, Mikayla Dooley, Laurel Arkell, Eli Arkell and Lark Macdonald. She will be sorely missed by many other relatives and friends.
Jean grew up in Niagara Falls and moved to Toronto to attend the Shaw Business College. When visiting a friend attending the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Jean and Bob first met at a dance on March 18, 1972. That meeting led to their marriage following Bob’s graduation. Jean and Bob were married for over 51 years. After they married, they lived in Toronto for a few years where Jean worked as a legal secretary. They then moved to Calgary in 1977 where they raised their family. Jean and Bob then moved to Victoria in 2007 where they have resided since.
Jean was blessed with five grandchildren whom she loved dearly and brought her incredible joy. She was Grandma Jean to all her grandchildren except the youngest grandchild, Lark, who gave Jean the name Gia.
Jean was most skilled at sewing and crafts and produced many beautiful quilts, purses and bags. Jean enjoyed her weekly walks and bicycle rides with her friends. Most other days she would walk with Bob, always with a coffee destination in mind. Jean enjoyed playing social bridge with her girlfriends and with other couples. Jean was an avid reader of murder mystery novels and Jean and Bob enjoyed watching murder mystery shows together in the evening. She loved doing puzzles and crosswords. While in Calgary, Bob and Jean attended many Calgary Stampeder games. This love of the Canadian Football League continued after moving to Victoria and many hours were spent with Bob in watching games every weekend. Jean spent many hours tending to her beautiful backyard gardens which grew well with her love and attention. Jean excelled in the kitchen and loved to bake and make preserves from the vegetables grown in her garden.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, on Thursday, September 3rd at 3:00 pm. In honour of Jean, we invite you to wear a touch of purple, Jean’s favourite colour.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation – Cancer Care or to the BC Cancer Foundation.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Macdonald” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
13 Responses
Martin and I heard a few weeks ago from Shirley that Jean was ill and on Sunday that she had passed away. We are shocked and saddened by this news. Our thoughts and prayers are focused on Bob, his daughters and their families.
We shall always remember Jean’s lovely smile, the warmth she brought to our ladies bridge group, her pleasure in gardening, her Christmas sewing creations for all those craft sales (some of which I shall treasure),her kindness and her love of family.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
I met Jean and Bob when Carolyn and James were just dating. Jean was striking. Her beautiful smile and warm hug welcomed me into their home and I was immediately made to feel a part of the family. The front hall was adorned with some of the gorgeous and intricate quilts Jean had meticulously made with love over the years. Astounding! I quickly learned what a fantastic cook and baker Jean was. There was no end to this beautiful lady’s talents! What drew me most to Jean, however was her how genuine she was; how kind, warm and loving. I will forever cherish the Lark dance parties I was so blessed to be part of with Jean. So awesome to see her ‘let go’. Jean you have left a big hole in my heart, but I know you are dancing in heaven. I am so honoured and blessed to have gotten to know you and be soul grandmas. I pray for peace, healing and hope for Bob, Laura and family, Heather and family, Carolyn and family as well as extended family and dear friends. Hugs, blessings and love to all.
What a beautiful picture I Jean that caught the essence of her beauty and her warmth and a lovely tribute to her legacy as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Bless you all.
I first met Jean and Bob in the Saanich Newcomers in 2007. Over that period, and through our subsequent Friendship Group, I enjoyed many conversations with her. Of note were her efforts as an ESL volunteer in her daughters’ school. As a former educator with a particular interest in volunteering , I was so impressed with the effort that she made to help new Canadians learn to speak English. Your obituary is such a perfect reflection of who she was….a very kind, balanced and caring person. And as you note, she was a brilliant seamstress. I still have a small treasure that she gave me when I was laid up. On one occasion, she showed me an exquisite dress that she made for her first daughter, then worn by her next two daughters. Sitting across from her at a BBQ just three weeks ago she told me that it has since been worn by all of her granddaughters… perfect! With Jan
Deepest condolences to Bob and my nieces and their families, to Jeans brother Ben and his wife on the sudden loss of my sister in law Jean.
We met Jean and Bob many years ago when they visited Australia, as we are family friends of Laura and Trent.
Jean was full of warmth, love and happiness. She was wonderfully creative and often sent hand sewn pouches or bags for Christmas – pouches and bags many of us girls all still have and use today.
Although she lived on the other side of the world, we would often admire how Jean and Bob, were still so incredibly close to their granddaughters, Madi and Miki. At Christmas, birthdays and whenever they achieved something special at school, Jean and Bob would send cards and gifts. The words from Grandma Jean would be what would light up their little faces the most.
Jean will be deeply missed, but she will now be watching over you all as your angel Grandma Jean. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you all.
So very sorry about Jean’s passing. She was a lovely, kind person and will be deeply missed.
Heather, Laura and Carolyn I am so sorry for your loss, your mom was a wonderful gentle human and it saddens me that she is no longer with you. Sending all my love and hugs during a very difficult time.
My thoughts are with you
Love Erin
Bob and I were roommates at UWO when Bob met Jean on that night in March of 1972. This was the start of Bob’s “Prior” commitments. And so it became apparent that Jean would become an excellent mate. Her warmth and smile will be truly missed by all. May her family find peace in knowing that one day they will be together again.
Our deepest Sympathy to you Bob and to your family.
I will always remember Jean’s creativity! From games nights to quilting, she truly had a gift. She also made me feel so welcome and part of the family over the years. I feel so lucky to have met her. She’s made a tremendous positive impact on my life, that I will carry with me always!