Obituary of Jean KELSO

1934 – St. Lambert, Quebec 2013 – Calgary, Alberta Jean passed away peacefully and with dignity at the Bow Crest Care Centre at the end of a long battle with dementia on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the age of 79 years. Jean was born in St. Lambert, Quebec, grew up in Montreal, then Ottawa, and then moved to rural Ontario with her family in 1949. Following high school she learned secretarial arts at Notre Dame in Montreal. She worked in Ottawa, Calgary and Prescott until marrying Gordon on September 3, 1955. As an Air Force wife Jean’s life had many adventures as they moved frequently. She was often in charge of all details due to Gordon’s absence. Once she bought a new house while he was away on a training course. She met all trials with equanimity and courage and made a great home for her family wherever they went. She loved gardening, sewing, knitting and travel, and made her own hats, however had little love for games. Jean was a twenty-five year member of the Eastern Star and a faithful member of the United Church wherever she lived. She was driven to contribute to family success and thus worked outside the home when child maturity and job opportunities permitted. She became highly qualified as a legal secretary. This could have been a full career but she was not satisfied and when the opportunity arose, she ventured into the field of real estate sales which had been a long-held vision. Her success in this area and love of the business is well known. She was a Pioneer with world-renowned Re/Max as a member of the 3rd office in Canada, entered the Re/Max Hall of Fame in 1990 and received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, finally retiring from active sales at the end of 2005. We believe she is still missed by many friends and colleagues. Jean is the beloved wife of Gordon, her husband of fifty-seven years; mother of Mark (Connie) of Trenton, ON, Julie (Ron) Jackson of Smiths Falls, ON and Carolyn (Russell) Murray of Calgary; grandmother of Robert (Michelle) of Toronto, ON, Gordon (Amanda) of Trenton, ON, Ryan (Courtney) of Edmonton and Connor of Calgary; and great-grandmother of Michael. Jean is survived by Gordon, her children, her sister Ann Nault of Portland, Oregon, and many nieces, nephews and their descendants from London, England to San Francisco, California. She was predeceased by her parents Donald and Elizabeth Morton, beloved Aunty Bunty, sister Elizabeth, brother Jimmy. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Monday, May 27, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Cremation has taken place and burial will be held at a later date in Ontario. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, Suite 201, 222 – 58th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com. or directly to the charity of the donor’s choice. The family is grateful to the wonderful staff at Bow Crest Care Centre and to Dr. Catherine McKenna who cared for Jean so compassionately during her stay with them of over three years. In living memory of Jean Kelso, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296.