“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great Love” ~ St. Teresa of Calcutta
Jeanne Anne “Jeannie” Metcalfe (née Johnston), age 78, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2021 in the Trail, BC hospital surrounded by loved ones. Jeanne was known for her sweet and kind personality and always having a smile on her face; there are no words that could ever describe what an incredibly beautiful person she was.
Jeanne was born in Smithers, BC on December 24, 1942. She was raised and spent her early adult life in Terrace, BC, a place of which she often spoke fondly about with her children and grandchildren. Jeanne lovingly referred to her childhood home as “The Ranch” and often recounted stories of laughter, joy and mostly mischief that she and her 15 siblings got into. She frequently took her family back to Terrace for the famous “Johnston Family Gatherings” and visited often throughout the years.
In 1967, Jeanne lost her beloved sister Theresa Obzera “Kiddo” to childbirth. Theresa left behind 8 children and her husband Steve Obzera after passing. For the next few years, Jeanne helped Steve take care of the newly born Theresa and the other seven Obzera children: Louise, Vicki, Dan, John, Rita, Albert and Tim. She was as much a mother to these children at that time as she was to her own children later in life. Anyone that knew Jeanne would agree that she had more than enough love to go around.
In early 1969, she met the love of her life, Michael Grahame Metcalfe. They were married on the 4th of September 1971 and moved to Vancouver, BC shortly thereafter. The following years were spent in Richmond, BC where Teressa Joan and Grahame Edward were born and Ottawa, Ontario where Christy Louise was born. They eventually settled in Langley, BC where their children were raised.
Jeanne was an amazing and devoted mother and grandmother, always putting her family first. She loved holidays and made each holiday extra special with her traditions such as egg decorating at Easter, baking up a storm at Christmas and her life-sized nativity scenes. Her grandchildren looked forward to holidays with their grandmother. They adored her and she adored them. She was at her happiest when she was with them.
Jeanne shared her love for making jams, canning, baking cakes, nature, flowers and birds with everyone she knew, especially her family. There is still a pantry full of jams and canned goods to last her family even after her passing, labelled lovingly in her handwriting. Photos and memories over the years of her helping her 3 children to enter cake decorating contests in elementary school and always making beautiful homemade birthday cakes for her children and grandchildren. Her love of nature, flowers and birds was instilled in her from her time growing up in Terrace. She spent hours speaking about species of flowers and picking bouquets as she did with birds. “Near to Nature’s Heart” by E.P. Roe was one of her favourite books and we believe describes her perfectly.
She was also a devout Roman Catholic who brought her light into the lives of everyone she met. She was a woman of great faith who believed in the power of prayer. She was actively involved in her church community singing in the choir, and loved helping decorate the church for all the holidays. Making flower arrangements was her specialty as was baking for the tea after church.
Jeanne is survived by her husband of 49 years, Michael Metcalfe and their 3 children and 6 grandchildren:
Children: Teressa Metcalfe, Grahame Metcalfe (Joy) and Christy Metcalfe (Pierre).
Grandchildren: Kaleena Metcalfe, Christian Metcalfe, James Metcalfe, Isaac Metcalfe, William Ciscato, Alexander Ciscato.
Jeanne is also survived by siblings “Lamb” Crezentia Harrison, twin brother Albert Johnston, Agnes Parkes, Marge Piffer, Roberta Ekman and Robert Johnston and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jeanne Jeannie Anne Metcalfe March 13th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique