June 25,1925-September 1,2022
It’s with great sadness that Jean, of Sidney BC, passed away peacefully at Saanich Peninsula Hospital Extended Care 2 September 1.
Pre deceased by her husband, Alan Keith Spence June 10,1989 in Calgary AB. Fondly loved and cherished by her daughter, Diane Dixon, her son Robert Spence (Joanna), her grandchildren, Paul Dixon (Heather Bourassa), Shannon Dixon (Alex Moret), and Angelica Spence. She took pride in her great grandchildren, Chloe and Wilfred Dixon and Jack and Ruby Moret. Since moving to Sidney BC with her daughter Diane in 2012, Jean joined the Newcomers Club and was very involved in so many activities and made many friends. She volunteered in the kitchen and joined in the Sunday service at her church, St. Paul’s United Church. Her last few months of her life were spent in Extended Care 2, where she was loved by the staff and residents and looked forward to visits, especially by Daisy the Goldendoodle, as well as her family and friends, who spent many hours with her enjoying the beautiful gardens. Jean will be missed and held in the hearts and souls of her many friends, relatives and her beloved family.
“Don’t cry because its over, smile because it happened”….Dr. Suess
Please join us in the celebration of Jean’s life at a Memorial Service at St. Paul’s United Church 2410 Malaview Avenue Sidney BC
Friday September 30 at 2:00 pm. Refreshments will be served in the church hall after the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Saanich Peninsula Hospital Extended Care 2. Many thanks to the wonderful staff who cared for her during her time there.
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Allison and Chris Pierce
Aah, she beat the queen after all!!
Our love and hugs to the whole family.
Jean and Keith(Deeth) were the best neighbours in the world. We were so blessed to purchase our first home in Calgary next door to surrogate grandparents. Jean was a natural teacher, generous with her time and love for children. And what a cook!! Her chocolate chip cookies often came home one in each hand of big-eyed little boys. Jean kept track of all the grands and great grands. When we visited this spring she was up to date on all the news!! Jean discussed history and current events with equal awareness. She knew the names of all the staff; no wonder they loved her. Jean is part of our happiest memories of raising our boys. Love you!!
Brenda Rennie
I’ve known your Mom since our boys were 2 yrs. old. I know how important she was to your family, and especially to you Diane over the years. My sincere condolences to all of you. She will be missed by many. I shall always remember her 90th Birthday Party.
Those we love
don’t go away,
they walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard,
but always near,
so loved, so missed,
so very dear.
Cathy Schulhauser
My deepest sympathies Diane. She was a very bright, warm and caring lady. I enjoyed our chats and loved sharing a table with her at the Newcomers lunches! Hugs to you and the family.
Colleen Schayes
I’m so glad that I knew Jean. She was a treasure. My condolences to you, Diane, and the rest of the family.
Hugs,
Colleen Schayes
Christine Cooper
Diane my condolences to you and your family. I have some good memories of your mom especially at book club. She was a lovely warm hearted soul.
Sarah Carroll
Jean will be so missed by so many. She left an indelible memory with everyone she met. I will cherish and forever miss our adventure outings to wherever our fancy took us. We had this deal, ‘you do the driving and I’ll buy the lunch,’ and it took us on some pretty interesting jaunts. Right up to the very last days she was happy and interested to smell the roses and I thought she would live forever, but alas, she was needed elsewhere.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family Diane. You had a very special Mom there.
Nia
She was the brightest light of all, much love to you all
Joanne Helm
Jean was a superhero and just a lovely lady. She is missed.
Condolences to your family
Karen Tozer
I adored your mom! Such a pleasant, positive person.
Fond memories from evening Bridge and Dining Out.
Condolences to you, Diane and your family.
Eva Vinderskov
Jean was a lovely lady and a dear friend. I will miss her very much. We shared many happy hours together. My deepest condolences to you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Geri Miyashiro
We missed Jean when she left the Condo in Lethbridge – such a kind, cheerful, generous friend, who was part of our church, book club.
, Red Hats, and game for new adventures – always with a smile. Love, sympathy, and condolence to the family.
Jennifer Viljoen
I met Jean when I joined St Paul’s United Church here in Sidney in 2016 and we were part of the team tasked with setting out tea/coffee after the Sunday service. Jean often made a delicious strawberry/rhubarb dish which was enjoyed by all along with her tasty cheese biscuits. I later replaced her on the Worship Committee where she had served for several years preparing the bread and grape juice for Communion-this when she was already in her 90s was no small feat! Jean was so thoughtful, kind and who can forget her lovely smile. It was a privilege to be her friend. My sincere sympathy to the family.
Joanna Spence
My beautiful mother in law, Jean, a wonderful woman that I was blessed and privileged to have as my family. She touched so many lives and had unmatched kindness in her heart for those who were lucky to know her. Always there for everyone and always willing to help in any way she could. Thank you for everything you did for me and for being an amazing mum to Robert and Diane, granny to my Angelica, to Paul and Shannon and great grandmother to Chloe, Ruby, Jack and Wilfred. You will be forever in our hearts ❤️
Marg Stothart
What a bright light shone from Jean’s eyes! I miss her plucky bidding in bridge, and the twinkle as she played a tough hand. We were privileged to attend her 90th birthday lunch and I’m delighted that she had so many more years after that. Thanks for sharing your mum with the Newcomers women, Diane!
Chris Pierce
To the family of Mrs. Jean Spence, some of my memories – Cameron Pierce
In the eighties, my parents moved in next door to Keith and Jean’s big red house on Slocan Road. I was born soon after, and was like their adopted grandchild for the years we lived there.
Most of my memories of Jean are from a young age, seemingly surreal now, and somehow, being an adult doesn’t diminish the magic of the memories I have of her. As a toddler, the world is a wondrous place of colours, emotions, and curiosity. The sense of being loved and treasured were feelings I identified with Mrs Spence, and colour every memory and thought of her now.
There was something magical about her, my neighbour, instigated I’m sure in part by her introducing me to the classic Angela Lansbury movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The realisation that someone was inconceivably old when you were 3, and were still going strong nearly 40 years later, adds to that. As I grew older, my parents kept in touch, and we visited her at a mysterious white-carpeted home in a tower on the top of a hill.