OBITUARY
Jean Yenta ZLATIN
March 13, 1920 – November 10, 2018
Jean Yenta Zlatin, 98 passed away November 9, 2018 at the QE2 Health Sciences Centre. Jean is survived by her three children Paula Hiltz (Gordon) [Halifax], David Zlatin (Gilda) [Efrat, Israel], Daniel Zlatin (Maura Flatley) [Ottawa] and grandchildren Michelle Kostya (Anton) [Milton, Ont.], Jeffrey Hiltz (Kim) [London, England], Ben Zlatin (Leah) [Cleveland, Ohio], Michael Zlatin (Jessica) [New Jersey], Josh Zlatin (Tamar) [Efrat, Israel], Rena Schenker (Josef) [New Jersey]. She is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren.
Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, March 13, 1920, the daughter of Benjamin and Pearl Selick, she was sister to Morris, Helen, Mary, David, and Ida, all of whom have predeceased her. She trained as a hairdresser and later as an office assistant. Her children remember her, years later, still practicing her stenography skills.
Jean moved to Halifax in 1944 and married the late Manuel (Mike) Zlatin. She and Mike operated Park Grocery on Tower Road and raised three children. Some of her favourite memories of her time with Mike and the family were at their cottage in Conrod Settlement, where they spent many happy summers. After the children were grown she returned to the workforce and was happy to accept the challenges as technology changed from live dictation to Dictaphones and teletypes. Jean spent many happy years employed with Revenue Canada in the Federal Government, and retired only reluctantly.
Always a very determined person, Jean decided that retirement would not see her idle. Jean was an avid walker, and you would often see her walking many miles daily in and around the south end. She loved her garden and was often planting new plants or rearranging them in new locations hoping they would grow better. One of her favourite plants was her rhubarb plants as she loved being able to make stewed rhubarb or a pie from her crops.
She equally enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She regularly played bridge and participated actively in local choirs. She sang with the Northwood Players for many years, and transitioned to The New Choral Players where she sang until her passing. Singing with these choral groups gave her immense pleasure, as she had always admired musicians but never imagined that she, too, could entertain a crowd.
No matter her age she would challenge herself to learn and expand her horizons. She was always reading books, tackling crossword puzzles and travelling extensively during her life, She loved travelling and visiting family and enjoyed trips to Israel, England, France, the United States, and Canada. After moving to Parkland on the Gardens, Jean took that passion of learning to a group of international students, who came to Parkland to practice their English Language skills. She loved helping them, talking to them and learning about where they were from.
Jean always amazed people as a an early adopter of computer technology throughout her life. She progressed from desktops to iPads which for her was a way to keep up to date with world events, the weather and her family. She loved to receive pictures from her children and grandchildren and spent a lot of time talking to them on Facetime.
Up and until her passing Jean was independent and feisty. She will be remembered for her kindness, her love and passion for life, and her keen drive to learn more at any age.
Many thanks to the employees at Parkland on the Gardens for their support, and to John O’Halloran and The New Choral Players for the joy they provided in her retirement years.
The funeral took place on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home. A visitation took place on Monday, November 12, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Parkland on the Gardens in the Joseph Howe room.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jean Yenta ZLATIN 2018..
Death notice for the town of: halifax, Province: Nova Scotia