Peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, January 29th after a 14 month courageous and dignified battle with ALS. Jean leaves behind her children Paul, Connie (Gary LeBlanc) and Amy (Dwain Leblanc), as well as her 5 cherished grandchildren, Victoria, Valerie, Griffin, Abby, and Brandon. She will be forever missed by her beloved siblings Cathy and Robert of Halifax, her nieces, nephews, and other extended family. Jean was predeceased by her husband Glen in 2010, and her parents Gordon and Gladys MacLelland.
Jean was born in Halifax and spent her formative years there until she married and followed her RCMP husband to postings in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and finally Ottawa where she raised her family. As a passionately proud Maritimer, she spent many summers with family and friends in her treasured home province of Nova Scotia. Jean worked many years in the fast paced environment at the law firm of Scott & Aylen and in her later years, she was a dedicated 20+ year volunteer for the Gloucester Food Cupboard where she served hundreds of clients and made wonderful friends. She loved to putter in her garden for hours on end, was a talented cook and baker, and loved to hunt for treasures made of china, silver and crystal. Jean was known for her quick wit, her intellect, her boundless energy, and her keen eye which saw the beauty in everything. We will miss our beautiful matriarch, our family’s “glue”.
Our heartfelt thanks to Mom’s amazing and supportive friends over the last year for their visits, baked goods, flowers and chocolates, and to her wonderful neighbours who were always willing to lend a hand. A special thanks to friend Marion, who was there any time she needed her. Finally, sincere gratitude to the Ottawa Hospital ALS team, the ALS Society, Bayshore Home Care PSWs, Carefor nurses, and Dr. Brodeur of Central Palliative Group for their caring support every step of Mom’s journey.
A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at Beechwood National Cemetery Reception Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Friday, February 7th from 2 to 4PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the ALS Society of Canada would be appreciated.
Digital Guestbook
Arnold (and Bev) Baldwin
Joan-Annette Salmond
Dear Jeannie you will be a treasured memory. Our South Shore treks in my old “Volvo “ humpback, loaded down with everything from picture frames to Blueberry pies! A skilled iconic eye for endless treasures. I’m sure she has forgiven me for snatching that broken lamp as my own. I will miss her humour, her stoicism and her classic style. A wonderfully intelligent and gifted woman.
My favourite lady is gone. Just spoke to Jean a short while ago when she told me the sad news about her illness. We go back to 1978 when Bev & I met her and her husband Glen, who was my good friend & boss at work. I will miss my phone calls to Jean but will continue to visit her and Glen at Beechwood when visiting my wife. My sincere condolences to Paul, Connie, Amy, their families and to her sister Cathy. May God Bless.