Jean Ormston
1920-2019
Ormston (nee Brown), Jean Elizabeth
Known to many friends and relatives as “Aunt Jean”, passed
peacefully at Hospice Niagara on Tuesday, December 17, 2019. She was
five months short of her 100th birthday. Jean was predeceased by her
husband Charles “the love of her life”, after sixty-three
years of marriage. (March 1, 2002)Jean’s parents were Henry
Harold Brown and Florence Beatrice Brown (nee Hobden), and she was
predeceased by sisters Kay (Ross Anderson), Ruth (Charles Stevens),
Betty (Robert Walker),Frances “Billie” (Roland Stenton)
and brother Danny (Evelyn Jenkins). Jean also leaves behind four
generations of nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States.
Apart from living in Niagara Falls, N.Y.for a short time as a child,
after her mother died, Jean was a lifelong resident of St. Catharines.
Jean and Charlie lived in various areas of the city and made many
friends in their neighbourhoods and workplaces. Jean started working
at a young age. She developed her skills as a secretary and bookkeeper
with several large companies in St. Catharines and her last workplace
was Brock University. Not one to sit idle, Jean became very active in
volunteer work, dividing her time over thirty years between the St.
Catharines General Hospital Auxiliary,where she was a life member, and
Community Care. Jean was a licensed driver, but preferred to get
around town on her own two feet. Even in her mid 90’s, she could
be found making her way sometimes a mile or more from home. She
attributed her health and longevity to keeping active. Jean and
Charlie were world travellers before travelling became as common as it
is today. They visited all over Europe, Russia, China, Australia, to
name a few of their adventures. When they were not flying out of
country, they would explore Canada and the USA by car. There was not
much of the country they had not seen. During the last ten years of
her life, Jean suffered with Macular Degeneration. She lost most of
her vision and with that her independence was compromised. Unable to
read books, do crafts like paper tole, or watch television, she was
determined to keep moving and to participate in activities and
outings which included tai chi, and daily exercise classes at the
Royal Henley Retirement Community where she resided since July 2017.
Audio books sent from the CNIB helped fill the void of her joy
“to turn a page” from the many books she borrowed from
the St. Catharines Public Library. She made the people close to her
appreciate the precious gift of sight. Jean was extremely grateful for
the excellent care and attention she received from Dr. Nishan
Jayawardene and all the staff from the Royal Henley. When
Jean’s health declined she was fortunate to be cared for by the
LHIN Palliative Nursing Team and was admitted to Hospice Niagara, The
Stabler Centre. Jean was very appreciative for the exceptional care
she received in her final days by all the staff and many volunteers
she encountered in her final two weeks. Jean especially enjoyed the
manicure and hair styling provided by Nursing Student Alison. Special
thanks to Nurses Kendra and Melinda for their kindness and support to
Jean and our family. You both made a difficult last day easier, and we
will be forever grateful. Funeral arrangements have been made with
Patrick J. Darte Funeral Chapel, 39 Court Street, St. Catharines. At
Jean’s request cremation has taken place. Celebration of
Jean’s extraordinary life will take place at a later date. If
desired, memorial donations would be appreciated to either the St.
Catharines Public Library or the Canadian National Institute for the
Blind.
2019
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jean Ormston 2019..
Décès pour la Ville:St-Catharines, Province: Ontario