Jean passed away on January 7, 2023 surrounded by family. Born in Chesley, Ontario on April 1, 1929, Jean was predeceased by her husband James B. Haddow (Jim). Jean will be sorely missed by her children, Thomas (Brenda) Haddow, Fiona (Llewellyn) Matthews; grandchildren, Kyle (Iryna) Haddow, Keira (James) Adams, and Amanda Matthews; great grandchildren, Colt and Max Adams; and her friends at the Victorian.
Jean and her identical twin Joyce were the ultimate April Fools surprise as the family was not expecting twins. Jean and her five siblings grew up in a farming family that knew the value of hard work. After high school, Jean became an elementary school teacher in Deep River, Ontario, where she met and married Jim. After leaving Deep River, Jean and Jim lived in Edmonton and briefly Manchester while Jim was completing his PhD. After many years of living in Edmonton, Jean and Jim were thrilled to retire and relocate (sans snow shovel) to Victoria in 1988.
Jean was always passionate about education and learning throughout her life. While raising children, Jean completed a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alberta. Retirement saw Jean and Jim indulge their love of travel by globe trotting to numerous destinations and frequently visiting St. Andrews, Scotland to visit Haddow family members. Overtime, Jean fell in love with the Scottish culture and landscape. Jean was a faithful and active member of the Saanich Newcomers Group and the University Women’s Club. Jean’s great joy was always spending time with family members and doting on her great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Dr. Fathima Abdul Hameed and the staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital Palliative Care unit for their kindness and professional care during Jean’s illness.
By request, a Service will not be held. Jean wanted a green burial, and she has been interred in the Woodland section at Royal Oak Burial Park.
In Jean’s memory, please take a walk in the Mount Douglas Park on a sunny day to enjoy the scenery and reflect on a life well lived.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Prim Spidell
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Shelley Lorimer I am so sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. I am so thankful for having the opportunity to spend time with both Jim and Jean over the course of many years. My sincere condolences to the family.
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Mary Keane Jean was a very dear kind friend during and since our times together in CFUW. We lived in the same neighbourhood and shared may good times. After I moved away, first to Chilliwack, and then to Nova Scotia, we wrote to each other. I shall miss her dearly miss her. My sincere condolences to her family, of whom she was always so proud.
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Ann Wilmut Jean was a lovely woman and one of my favourite people from our CFUW group. For many years we met as part of the Cultural Affairs group and she always had something witty and wise to contribute. Sadly connections interrupted during these Covid years but I will always remember her fondly and enjoyed sharing that she had a Keira grandchild and I have a Keir son. My condolences to all the family.
So sorry Jean has left us at the Victorian. A wonderful “character” with an incredible laughter that reached every corner.. She is missed… I must say we discovered we were neighbours in Edmonton with the Grandview field in between and probably walked our dogs at the same time and into the Whitemud Valley ravine.. All wonderful thoughts and caused great laughter..
Condolences to you all.