Jean Walker
With great sadness the family of Jean Walker announces her passing on January 6, 2020 at the age of 97. We mourn the loss of not only a wonderful mother but a great friend, always there when we needed one. She was an excellent role model for all of her family— hardworking, resourceful , fun-loving, generous, thoughtful and caring, with a great sense of humour. While it is difficult for us to imagine our lives in the coming days without her presence, it is a great comfort to know that she lived a very full and happy life, surrounded by so many who loved her.
Jean was born to Thomas and Winnifred Nielson in Viking, Alberta on December 7, 1922. She grew up in Cornwall, Ontario where she met her future husband and love of her life, Howard Walker. They were married on July 5th, 1944 in Louisburg, Nova Scotia when Howard was on leave from the navy during WW2. Over the next few years, their family grew to include three children, Barbara Coffey (Bob Sparling). Diana Brown (Paul), and Richard Walker (Sharon). Jean and Howard moved around the province of Ontario with Howard’s work for the Woolworths Company, living in several cities such as Oshawa, Hamilton and Toronto before settling in Stratford in 1954.
In the following years, Jean enjoyed a very active work and social life. She was a long-time employee of Bettger Industries (which later became T.B. Woods) where she was in charge of their computerized inventory control system. She was a member and Past President of the Stratford Opti-Mrs.Club, member of the Lively Group at the Stratford Seniors Centre, avid lawn bowler, line dancer and enthusiastic euchre and penny-ante poker player. In addition, she was a great cook, seamstress, knitter, woodworker, reader and dedicated auction sale attendee. She enjoyed travel and was always ready for new experiences.
Jean was predeceased by her beloved Howard in March 1990 and dearly missed son-in-law, William Coffey, in August 1990.
Memories of Jean will be treasured by her grandchildren: Michael Coffey (Caroline), Timothy Brown, Kert Coffey (Julia), Jennifer Brown (Derrick), Matthew Brown, Christy Townsend (Keith) and Rebecca Walker. She also leaves behind special relationships with many loving great-grandchildren: Joshua Coffey(Caitlin), Shannon Coffey (Phil), Tyler and Kylie Coffey, Greg and Megan Hansford, Jamie and Morgan Simpson, Katelynn and Judson Bunz, Olivia, Nathan and Halle Townsend, Thomas Brown.
Our family’s special thanks go out to Dr. Brooks and his assistant, Allison, for all their excellent care and attention to our mother over the years.
We are also grateful to the dedicated team of care workers at Woodland Towers, led by Janine Hamilton, who looked after Mom so well in her many years there, as well as to the wonderful and hardworking nurses and care staff at Spruce Lodge who made every effort to make Mom’s last days as comfortable as possible.
Our appreciation goes out to Val Britton for being such a thoughtful and faithful friend to Mom.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford on Tuesday, January 14, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. A reception will be held at the funeral home followed by interment at Avondale Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth or to Spruce Lodge Foundation through the funeral home. 519.271.7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
