Obituary of Jean Carol EDES (nee Kowalski)

February 21, 1946 – London, England
December 29, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

At the age of 74 Jean Edes of Calgary, AB has sadly passed away after a short fight with Covid-19. She was predeceased by her mother Gladys, father Leslie, brother Dave and husband Howard. She will be dearly missed by her siblings and their spouses, Keith Kowalski (Elaine), Lynn Epp, Lorne Kowalski (Linda), Margaret Findlater (Austin) and Cathy Dunham (Doug); as well as her many nieces and nephews and their children that she loved with all her heart.

Jean was born on February 21, 1946, in London, England. Her mother Gladys worked in the factories during the war and her father Leslie served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. She spent her first four months there before sailing to Canada on the Queen Mary on June 30th 1946. Little did she know she would be the first of six more children to come! Raised on a dairy farm she was quick to fall in love with all animals but had a particular love at a young age for horses that would last her lifetime. She would go on to teach her younger siblings to ride horses a story best told by her beloved sister Margaret… “Years ago when Jean was younger she would take our sister Cathy and I when we were little girls on trail rides with all her horse-loving friends. We would do scavenger hunts on horseback and she always had the most beautiful horses!”

On August 10, 1974, Jean had fallen in love and married her late husband Howard Edes. Jean and Howard created a life together with many fur babies over the years. They both had a deep love of animals and often rescued older dogs from shelters and gave them a loving home till it was their time to go.

They would take great pride in the landscaping of their home so they would have a beautiful place to retreat to on hot summer’s days! On many of those occasions, they would entertain family and friends throwing many gatherings including weddings and baby showers. During those times they would harvest their beautiful garden they created together and Jean would cook up a feast for everyone to enjoy! Eventually, Howard would build a beautiful art studio where Jean could pursue her many passions. She was a talented Landscape artist whose pieces fill her families’ walls to this day! At one point Jean acquired a Kiln with which she created beautiful ceramics that would fill her studio. She loved having family and friends over to share in her creations where they would have treasured times painting and laughing the days away. But, her creativity did not stop there she went on to become a very talented seamstress and would often make her own clothing that would be admired by many.

Jean's faith in God ran deep within her throughout her life and she would often seek comfort from her church and the teachings of the bible during difficult times. It was no surprise that when it was Jeans time to go she was at peace and she placed her faith in her creators’ hands and was ready to join the ones that had left this earth before her. Although she will be greatly missed by her family they take comfort in the fact she will rest in peace with her Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Jean’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Jean Edes, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.