Obituary of Jean TREMBLAY

It is with deep sadness that Jean’s children and their spouses, Frank (Jill), Cynthia (Jim), Gail, Lynn (Curtis), and Melanie, grieve her passing on Saturday, November 2, 2013. Jean was born on May 24, 1938 in Sally’s Cove, Newfoundland to Dulcie and Thomas Endicott. She grew up with her sisters and brothers: Bill, Coyley, Eileen, Roxie, Laudric, and Wanda. Jean has now joined her parents and brother Laudric – a source of great comfort to us. Jean’s siblings will deeply miss their beloved sister. Jean had an adventurous spirit that led her and her first husband, Cecil Corbett, to relocate to Calgary, Alberta in 1968. Although Calgary offered her children better opportunities, Newfoundland remained her true home. Jean had a zest for life. She was an energetic woman with a strong work ethic, dedicating many years of excellent service in her positions at the Bay, Alberta Government Telephones, CIBC and National Car Rental. Jean was first and foremost a dedicated, loving mother. Everything she did, she did with her children in mind. Jean created a lively and beautiful home where she baked, cooked and knit for those she loved. Her door was always open, and her dinner table was the center of many years of love and laughter for her family and friends. She was quick to laugh and her smile was endearing to all those around her. Quiet by nature, Jean’s playful spirit was nonetheless ever present. Jean’s essence is love. She was vibrant, generous and gracious in all things. She cherished her years of motherhood and gave her children and grandchildren the gifts of unconditional love and total acceptance. Along with her children, Jean’s grandchildren, Vanessa, Stephanie, and Kaitlyn; Sheena and Cameron; Kathryn; and Gabrielle will miss her immense love. Also left to grieve Jean include her great-granddaughter, Jadyn; her step-grandchildren, Jordan, Ashley, and Danielle; and her second husband, Wilfred Tremblay. Despite the immense challenges that fronto-temporal dementia brought to Jean’s life in her last years, she navigated these with her usual grace and poise. Jean continued to touch people in her quiet way in spite of the limitations that the dementia imposed upon her. As painful as it has been, Mom’s journey with dementia has shown us our humanity – within ourselves, in friends, in strangers, and in the wonderful caregivers at Wentworth Manor who so generously gave their love and compassion to her and to us. Jean’s bright light will continue to shine as we live her legacy of kindness, compassion, acceptance, and love. We will miss you Mom. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.jeanvictoriafund.ca to support the research into frontotemporal dementia by Dr. Tiffany Chow at the University of Toronto, Rotman Research Institute. We would be honoured if you joined us in a Celebration of Jean's Life and Legacy on Friday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m., Bristol Room at Wentworth Manor, 5717 – 14th Avenue N.W., Calgary.