Jean passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 12, 2018. She was born in Vancouver on July 9, 1948. Jean is survived by her daughters Erin (James) and Leah (Ryan) and her granddaughter Adele. She will be missed by many other relatives and friends.
Jean was very passionate about education, both in her own betterment as evidenced by her masters and doctorate degrees and through her dedicated career in the Coquitlam public school system. There was nothing Jean enjoyed more than spending time with her family and close friends. Her inspiration and influence have left an indelible mark on all the lives she touched.
A Celebration of Jean’s Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation or Parkinson Society of BC.
Her family would like to thank the staff at the Victoria Hospice and Cancer Agency for the care and kindness they showed her.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Natasha
-
Jen Balenzano (Heximer) Erin and Leah, I didn’t realize your mom has passed. I’m so sad to hear this, please accept my sincere condolences. Your mom was simply the best, I have such fond memories of living beside you guys on Dennison. Time marches on and we have lost touch but I have often thought of your mom. She was a very special lady indeed, her smile was infectious and could light up a room. May she rest in peace❤️
-
Julie Jeanneau I was so very sad to hear of Jean’s passing. I have wonderful memories of Jean from working with her at RC MacDonald. I will always remember her great sense of humour, her dedication to learning, and compassion for the students and the staff. She was able to bring a sense of calm and positivity to any situation. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to cross paths with Jean and will remember her with the deepest admiration.
-
Diane Silzer Kind. Fair. Gentle. Strong. Intelligent. Jean warmed us all with her qualities. As an educator and a leader at Gleneagle she was a role model for many, and helped shape a dynamic school. We all benefitted from time spent with her. My sincere condolences.
-
Rob McAdam I only met Jean a couple of times but it was always a lively and memorable occasion!
My condolences to the Ern and the entire Fraser family.
Rob and Shandy
-
Sherilyn Stedham Jean was my best friend for over 25 years and she always had my back. I will miss her so much. I can’t believe she is gone.
-
Julia Huie I am so very sorry to hear about Jean. I had the pleasure of working with her. What a beautiful lady – inside and out! So gentle and caring, and a very capable and effective administrator. My condolences to Jean’s family. This wonderful dear person will be greatly missed.
-
Allison Dorchester I am the younger sister of Betty-Jean Gilley, Jean’s longtime friend. I have fond memories, as a ten year old, of their having to drag me along on their outings. Jean called me “the little sister she never had”.
Thank you Jean for the warm memories and condolences to your family.
-
Alida Postman Very sad to hear the news of Jean’s death. She was a very supportive principal when I worked with her at RCMacdonald. I also remember how proud she was of her daughters. My heartfelt sympathy is with you and your families.
-
Dave Matheson Leah and Erin,
Jean and I worked alongside one another for the last five or six years leading up to her retirement. She was a kind and gentle soul who had an amazing ability to connect with seemingly every student regardless of the presenting issue. She certainly had influenced the lives of many, many students.
Jean’s two terms elected as president to the Coquitlam Principals and Vice-Principals Association is clear testimony to the respect her district admin colleagues had for her leadership attributes.
One of the most lasting impacts she had at Gleneagle was the determined leadership she showed working with school and district staff in support of the re-instatement of the Gifted Program at Gleneagle, a success that continues to provide improved learning experiences for hundreds of district students.
Although her many and varied workplace contributions brought her professional joy, it was always abundantly, clear that her family was her most important focus in her life. Her smile shown its brightest any time she talked about her daughters.
Dave Matheson
-
Don Currie It was a shock to receive this news about Jean ! I had the privilege of working with Jean for several years at Moody Junior. She was a wonderful person bright, personable, knowledgeable, caring and professional in every way ! Our whole school community benefited so much from her many positive contributions .
I extend my sympathy to her family . Keep the good memories of such a super lady !
-
Diana Moore When I first met Jean she could outrun me and when I took her climbing she quickly outclimbed me. She never did anything half-way. She always gave it her all. She loved her family like that. Erin and Leah, she loved you ferociously – which could be overwhelming but it was the only way she knew how to do it. She would dance when she knew you were visiting and she would cry (while cleaning to Sarah McLachlan) when you left. She enriched the lives of those she knew. She loved animals and she loved our planet. She made the world a better place and she will be missed.
-
Margaret-Ann Betcher So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Too soon. I worked with your mom at R.C. McDonald school in Coquitlam. She was so kind, understanding and a genuinely lovely person.
-
Carol Coulson Leah and Erin
Your mom was so proud of you. I was fortunate to begin my administrative career at Gleneagle and work with Jean in her final semester before retirement. I appreciated her wisdom and enthusiasm. Her warmth and genuine concern for the staff and students was obvious and she touched the hearts of many. My sincere condolences.
-
Donna Louise Clark Jean was a recent friend that I was lucky enough to meet at the Crag X climbing gym in Victoria. She and her climbing partner Andrea were kind enough to reach out to me ( a recent island trasplant) when I was looking for people to climb with. I was so impressed with Jean – funny, smart, softspoken and determined – at 70 she was learning to climb – despite having Parkinsons. And she was good at it! Jean was a class act. I always felt more relaxed after spending time with her. What struck me too was the affection with which she talked of her daughters and granddaughter – it makes my heart smile to think of it. I was so fortunate to have met Jean and gotten to know her (if very briefly). My condolences to all her family and friends- I believe she will be missed by a great many.
-
John Carter I offer my deepest condolences to the family. Jean was a lovely, lovely lady. Sad to see a good friend has passed. Rest In Peace Jean – you made this world a better place.
-
Betty Boult I worked with Jean when I was in Coquitlam School Disrict. I remember her laughter, her compassion and her integrity. My thoughts are with her friends and family. Her gentle soul will be missed.
-
Lois Eaton I am sorry to learn of Jean’s passing. I knew her from our shared time as administrators in Coquitlam. Her passion for her work and her kindness to others are the lovely memories I have of Jean. Yet, it is her smile that radiated through her eyes as a bit of impishness that makes me smile as I think of her.
-
Begum Verjee Jean and I were at UBC’s doctoral program together, and formed a close relationship during this time. We got together quite often in Vancouver after our graduation, and when Jean moved to Victoria and I moved to Toronto, we often talked over the telephone. Erin and Leah – Jean talked about the both of you so fondly, and always had something to share about Adele. My grand-daughter Niyah is a year younger than Adele, and Jean and I shared many stories of our grand-daughters. My deepest condolences to all of you. I will dearly miss my good friend Jean – may her Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!
-
Doug Mancell My sincere condolences. Jean was among my very favourite administrators. She was compassionate, dedicated, and always supportive. The world has lost a great human being who’s positive energy effected Gleneagle Secondary School for many years.
Doug Mancell
-
Anne Gee To Erin, James, Leah, Ryan and Adele,
Your mother was a very special lady who will be dearly missed but we are happy she is no longer suffering. You all meant the world to her and it meant everything to her to be involved in Adele’s life even if just for a short time.
We certainly cherish the happy times we spent together over the years, and Kelly and Deborah remember her as a caring Brown Owl.
Our deepest condolences to you all from Anne, Bill, Kelly and Deborah.
-
Betty-Jean Gilley Jean and I shared a friendship that spanned 58 years. We have been particularly close these past few months. Our last email conversation was Sunday. I will miss her friendship deeply. To make matters worse I am currently on a cruise and will not be home in time for her service which disappoints me greatly….. Please know that my heart is with you and I will be in touch when I get back to Canada.
-
Carol McFadyen Also a member of the 2000 Doctoral cohort, I so admired Jean! She was lovely, intelligent, and warm. I know that all of her family, friends, and colleagues will miss her greatly. Sending condolences to those closest to Jean, and wishing you the peace that comes from precious memories of time with your dearly loved one. Carol McFadyen.
-
DARLENE AND DENNIS Erin and Leah gone too soon but never forgotten. We loved your Mom dearly.Our hearts will be with you sadly will not be there.
-
M. Elizabeth Betsy Symons My condolences to family at this sad time. I met Jean in the fall of 1979 at the Alderson School yard while registering our two oldest, Erin and Suzanne. Jean was a leader in all she set out to accomplish. A warm compassionate person determined to connect educate and share her gifts particularly with young people. I will remember her joyful laugh. optimism and courage. She was taken too soon . Rest in peace my dear friend. Betsy
-
Stephen Hansen Deeply saddened to hear of Jean’s passing. We were fellow Doctoral students at UBC, where Jean was a highly dedicated and respected member of the Year 2000 Cohort. Thank you Jean for shaping the future of so many students and improving public education.
-
Carmen Moorhouse I offer my deepest condolences and prayers for the family. I was privileged to have known Jean when I worked at Gleneagle. We would go running together and it was also a time of sharing. Jean was an extraordinary person who exemplified beauty, compassion and thoughtfulness. She touched my life. I am grateful that we crossed paths and I will never forget her kindness.
-
Cindy Quach I am so very sorry for this heavy loss to your family. Jean made an indelible mark on the staff and students at Gleneagle Secondary School. She was the consummate professional who always provided leadership with integrity and humanity. Although she retired more than ten years ago, her impact still remains. Jean’s light was golden and we were warmed by it. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Know that the pain we feel is a refection of the enormity of our love.
Cindy Quach
-
Carol Johnston Someone as special as Jean will never be forgotten. She will remain in our hearts forever. May she rest in peace.
Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.
(Author Unknown)
-
Tammy Ough I remember working with Jean at Gleneagle and she supported me as a new teacher and later as a counsellor. She was always kind, professional and a strong role model. I am so sad to hear of her passing. I saw her after she had retired and as always she had plans to further her knowledge and career. Sending my deepest condolences to the family.
Tammy Ough
-
Monica Fraser Saddened to hear this news Erin & Leah. Thinking of you and all the wonderful memories we shared together as children at your home in Coquitlam and in Anglemont also. My heart is with you. As time allows, perhaps we can connect for a nice chat. Love always, Monica
-
Quirien Mulder ten Kate My condolences to the family. I loved working with Jean Fraser at Gleneagle Secondary. She provided calm insight when issues arose. She provided a shoulder to cry on and provided a smile when needed. She will be missed in so many ways. Jean was an amazing human-being, leading by example and making a difference in any way possible.
“Q”uirien
-
Susan Quesnel I am so sorry to hear this. Jean & I were friends since we were 8 yrs old. What can I say about a friendship that long except that when we chatted on the phone from wherever/whenever we were it was like we picked up from where we left off. I will so miss her. My condolences for her family.
Jean was my school counsellor – and I’m saddened to know I missed my chance to tell her what a profound impact she had on my life. I will never forget her. My condolences to all who were close to her.