Obituary of Jean Marie Burkholder

August 11, 1935 - Waterford, Ontario

January 28, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Jean Burkholder (nee Parlardg) passed away at Edgemont Retirement Residence in Calgary, AB, on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the age of 87 years, surrounded by family.

Born in Waterford, Ontario, Jean loved the summertime and swimming in Lake Erie. After graduating from the Waterford District High School with honours in 1953, she earned a certificate in nursing from the Toronto Western Hospital and went on to work for the Toronto and Kingston General Hospitals. Followed by the burn unit at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary for over 30 years.

Having grown up across the street from each other in Waterford, Jean and Gary shared a love of Ontario in the summertime. After relocating to Calgary, Jean and Gary continued to spend summers at the family cottage in Port Dover, where Jean was rarely seen without a garden hoe and/or gin and tonic in hand. Jean was an avid gardener and baker and was famous for her homegrown/homemade strawberry rhubarb pie.

After retiring, Jean and Gary travelled everywhere from Costa Rica to Hong Kong and collected artwork from their travels.  On one such trip to South Africa, Jean slapped an aggressive male baboon for trying to steal a loaf of bread. At age 82, she spontaneously decided to get a tattoo and convinced her daughter and granddaughter to get matching ones. She was a fearless and unconventional person.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Kim Gaul (Warren), Geri Burkholder (Flemming Nielson), Kelly Pound and son Kent Burkholder; as well as her grandchildren, Jason (Jackie), Karisa (Kurtis), Marcia, Casper, Cecilia and Philippa.

She was predeceased by her husband Gary Burkholder; parents Norma and Frederick Parlardg; and her brothers Jim and Bob.

Jean and Gary will be interred in the family plot in Waterford in the summer, their favourite time of year. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to The Edgemont Retirement Residence for their continuous care and support. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, #306, 10430 61 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6H 2J3, alzheimer.ab.ca.

In living memory of Jean Burkholder, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.