Obituary for Jean Florence Ede (Walker)
Ede, Jean Florence (nee Walker)
Passed away peacefully with family at her side at Carleton Lodge Long Term Care Home on December 8, 2022, in her 84th year. Loving wife of Fred Ede (deceased) for 59 years. Much loved mother of Julia and Jonathan (Trish). Proud grandmother of April (Adam), Nicole (Jeff), Jennifer (Dave), Teri, Eryn, Amy. Great grandmother of Andrew (Ashlee), Alexis (Pete), Brooke, Eva, Hunter, and Mia. Predeceased by her brother Robert. Dear daughter of the late Bill and May Walker.
Jean was born and raised in London, England. She was sent to live with her grandparents in the country, during the war, as bombing was going on near her home, from the age of 18 months until she was 6 ½ yrs old. She went to teachers college in Bath, where she earned her teaching degree. While there, she met the love of her life Fred, on a train, when they were both going home for the holidays. They married on August 9, 1959, and were married almost 60 years, when Fred passed away. In 1970 she moved with Fred and the 2 children to North Carolina and then to New York, then in 1975 to Canada, where they settled in Newmarket. While in England she was a primary school teacher for many years, and once in Canada, she ran a YMCA daycare centre.
Jean was an avid, avid reader, and was instrumental in setting up and running the Newmarket Library Book Club. She was a fantastic gardener with a whole yard full of flowers, she spent many hours in the garden. She had a group of friends she met with every week for years, they dubbed themselves (the Wednesday group). She volunteered her time for over 25 years in Newmarket, mostly at the Elman W. Campbell Museum, where she did programs with hundreds of school kids, Scouts and Guides. I think one of her favourite times at the museum was, when, she would dress up as a wicked witch for Halloween, she had the most perfect cackle. She was so proud when she earned the Senior Achievement Award in recognition of her volunteering after the age of 65, and was presented it, by the Governor General of Ontario. She received other awards, the last ones being in recognition of 25 years of volunteering. She was a member of the Newmarket Historical Society and was president for a few years also. She officially stopped volunteering on her 80th birthday. She loved dancing and singing, and she could quite often be found at it.
The most important thing to Jean was her family, she really came alive laughing, singing, dancing and just being plain old silly with her grandchildren, and then her great grandchildren.
The last 3 years, Jean was struggling with Lewy body dementia . But she walked and walked and walked, right to the very end, and sang, up until a few months ago. A special thanks to the wonderful staff at Carleton Lodge LTC in Ottawa.
We will remember Mom, Grandma Jean, as being the best mom ever, a super loving grandmother and great grandmother. She loved us all dearly, and us, her. She taught us well.
Celebration of Life will be held at Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home, 157 Main St. S, Newmarket, Ont. on Thursday, December 22, 2022, from 1-3 pm. Wear bright colours as Jean would want you to. We would love to hear your memories, either, written or spoken.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Elman W. Campbell Museum. To make a donation please visit www.newmarket.ca/museum to download a donation card (when completing the form please check "other” and write “programming”).
Online condolences can be made at roadhouseandrose.com
Passed away peacefully with family at her side at Carleton Lodge Long Term Care Home on December 8, 2022, in her 84th year. Loving wife of Fred Ede (deceased) for 59 years. Much loved mother of Julia and Jonathan (Trish). Proud grandmother of April (Adam), Nicole (Jeff), Jennifer (Dave), Teri, Eryn, Amy. Great grandmother of Andrew (Ashlee), Alexis (Pete), Brooke, Eva, Hunter, and Mia. Predeceased by her brother Robert. Dear daughter of the late Bill and May Walker.
Jean was born and raised in London, England. She was sent to live with her grandparents in the country, during the war, as bombing was going on near her home, from the age of 18 months until she was 6 ½ yrs old. She went to teachers college in Bath, where she earned her teaching degree. While there, she met the love of her life Fred, on a train, when they were both going home for the holidays. They married on August 9, 1959, and were married almost 60 years, when Fred passed away. In 1970 she moved with Fred and the 2 children to North Carolina and then to New York, then in 1975 to Canada, where they settled in Newmarket. While in England she was a primary school teacher for many years, and once in Canada, she ran a YMCA daycare centre.
Jean was an avid, avid reader, and was instrumental in setting up and running the Newmarket Library Book Club. She was a fantastic gardener with a whole yard full of flowers, she spent many hours in the garden. She had a group of friends she met with every week for years, they dubbed themselves (the Wednesday group). She volunteered her time for over 25 years in Newmarket, mostly at the Elman W. Campbell Museum, where she did programs with hundreds of school kids, Scouts and Guides. I think one of her favourite times at the museum was, when, she would dress up as a wicked witch for Halloween, she had the most perfect cackle. She was so proud when she earned the Senior Achievement Award in recognition of her volunteering after the age of 65, and was presented it, by the Governor General of Ontario. She received other awards, the last ones being in recognition of 25 years of volunteering. She was a member of the Newmarket Historical Society and was president for a few years also. She officially stopped volunteering on her 80th birthday. She loved dancing and singing, and she could quite often be found at it.
The most important thing to Jean was her family, she really came alive laughing, singing, dancing and just being plain old silly with her grandchildren, and then her great grandchildren.
The last 3 years, Jean was struggling with Lewy body dementia . But she walked and walked and walked, right to the very end, and sang, up until a few months ago. A special thanks to the wonderful staff at Carleton Lodge LTC in Ottawa.
We will remember Mom, Grandma Jean, as being the best mom ever, a super loving grandmother and great grandmother. She loved us all dearly, and us, her. She taught us well.
Celebration of Life will be held at Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home, 157 Main St. S, Newmarket, Ont. on Thursday, December 22, 2022, from 1-3 pm. Wear bright colours as Jean would want you to. We would love to hear your memories, either, written or spoken.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Elman W. Campbell Museum. To make a donation please visit www.newmarket.ca/museum to download a donation card (when completing the form please check "other” and write “programming”).
Online condolences can be made at roadhouseandrose.com