Obituary of Jeannine Marie Louise Bernadette Hallas

 

January 7, 1932 – Lachine, Quebec

December 18, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

 

Jeannine (Jean) Hallas (nee LaFrance), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2023, at the age of 91 years.

 

It is with great sadness that our family shares the passing of Gramma Jean, beloved wife of Frank Hallas who sadly left us just a year earlier. Frank and Jean met and married in Lachine, QC. In the 1950s they set roots in Calgary and started the family now including their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss her dearly.

 

Jean was the oldest of seven children born to Aline (nee Conway) and Leopold LaFrance. They lived in Southern Ontario and Lachine, QC. She is survived by her sisters, Vivian and Lise, and her brother Jim (Marla). She was predeceased by her sister Rita, her brothers, Michael and Bob, and her loving grandson Jason.

 

While many of Frank’s family followed them to Alberta, Jean’s siblings remained in the east; she kept in contact until her later years and was always JOYOUS to visit them or have them visit here out west. For the new Westerners, Mom and Dad opened their doors and hosted them. “’ till they found their cowboy boots”. For many years the family gatherings involving this crowd were massive…the family Christmas dinners were legendary…Mom made our home a place of open hospitality, and all were welcome.

 

Jean and Frank had two children, David (Tina) and Diane Homan (Daryl); and two grandchildren, Jason and Rae-Lynn Homan. She always loved to see her great-grandchildren, Jordan, Brooklyn, Sidney, Russell, Mikayla, and Rebecca. She was very active in her great-grandchildren’s lives—from attending Christmas concerts, trips to the zoo (maybe her favourite place), and having sleepovers. She also cherished the children and kin of the rest of the family; every one of them held dearly close to her heart.

 

After getting married to Frank in Edmonton in 1953, Mom did all the things a young woman in the 1950s did. She raised two children, she was a great cook, made bread, blended powdered milk, canned, knitted, crocheted, and did macramé.

 

As the kids grew up and into their independence, so did Jean, with careers at Simpson Sears and later Woodwards, all the while forming friendships that would endure a lifetime.

 

Jean and Frank were always very social and always had a lively and interesting bevy of friends. They were always the perfect hosts for giant family dinners, Stampede and Grey Cup parties. They also hosted mystery dinners, potlucks, camping events, and road trips in the RV or on the Greyhound to Vegas and the Maritimes. Though the years brought changes, they always had a solid group of close friends and accomplices and never forgot the ones who left us too early. They routinely cut a rug at the Bowness Seniors Club, and the ladies rarely missed their monthly luncheons.

 

Jean had a great sense of adventure and indulged in a hot air balloon ride, ship cruises in Alaska, and sailing in the San Juan Islands.  They not only travelled and camped in their little motorhome, but Mom drove that beast around town daily as her own vehicle. (Except at the 6’6” bridge on 7th Street S.E.)

 

Jean was an enthusiastic seamstress, and always crafty with clothing and costumes. Frank and Jean’s Halloween costumes were always memorable. She made the curtains at 832, doll clothes, work clothes and “going out” clothes, and even Diane’s wedding dress.

 

At a point in life, post-retirement, she found her true calling. Jean discovered a talent for oil painting, craft making, and the curious fusion of the two. She became an artist! She could and would paint a picture on anything; rocks and driftwood, fridge magnets, seashells, mushrooms, tongue depressors, bottles of all sizes; on canvas, and even the fence panels at 832. Jean had a spirit that dabbled in whimsy. She loved imagery, and hand-formed crafts, and delighted in sharing the whimsy. She loved the things in nature, and while not overtly religious, she was proud of her own closely held spirituality, formed from her family experiences interwoven with some proud native ancestral heritage. This is reflected in the focus of her art on subjects of nature, and for a while, on trains.

 

She was an avid seller in the craft sale circuit, attending numerous markets and consigning work to small shops in and all around Calgary. Sharing her talent, she taught other people to paint, and she inspired her great-grandchildren with her artistic knowledge and teaching.

 

Jean collected and saved everything: cards, photos the smallest of notes.       Souvenirs of all the places they travelled to, instructions for knitting and craft making, how to build a Hawaiian outrigger canoe, how to collect maple syrup, a pattern to stitch together a soft bouncy clown, the lovely, pressed flowers from Verna, or that note from a friend…After sifting through her things lately it became apparent that everything, every event, and everyone was important to her. She cherished her family and her friends, and all the memories of her life.

 

I know it was difficult for her, to slowly lose the ability to craft and paint, lose track of the notes, and the days, and forget how her stuff was orJEANized.

 

She can now be at rest and join with Frank and friends and family long gone. We will miss you!

 

A Celebration of Jean’s Life will be held at a future date. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Jean’s family here. If anyone would like to contact the family or leave contact information, please respond to the condolences section. If you wish we can post your comments anonymously, but we would love to hear from you.

 

Our appreciation goes out to the staff and caregivers at Carewest Colonel Belcher in Calgary, who gave Mom the first and last smiles of every day. You meant a lot to her and to all of us. Thank you.

 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Salvation Army, 1731 29th Street SW Calgary, AB, T3C 1M6, online at www.salvationarmy.ca, or by phone at 403-410-1112.

 

In living memory of Jean Hallas, 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.