Charnley, Jane Elizabeth
Peacefully and surrounded in love, at the McNally House Hospice in Grimsby on Friday, November 11, 2022 in her 73rdyear. Jane Charnley, spouse and loving partner to Ed for 40 years, adored mother to Jennifer Baker (Tim), Jessica Gatenby, and Robert Charnley (Georgina). Beloved Nana to Sasha and Sam, Austin, Nevaeh and Everleigh, and to Rachel (Mason). In keeping with Jane’s wishes she has been cremated and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Expressions of sympathy and memorial donations to McNally House Hospice or to hospice care of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
Although she spent her life living in Dunnville, Jane’s impacts in her 73 years stretched far beyond the boundaries of her little town. Born June 13, 1950 to Roy and Joy (predeceased) Alton, Jane was the eldest of their 6 children. “Pursey” (her childhood nickname) will be dearly missed by Bill, Brenda, Jill, Bob, Jimand their families. She loved being Aunt Jane to the multitude of cousins that followed.
When asked what her best decisions were Jane shared that becoming a teacher was one of them. She had a true gift when it came to seeing kids for kids and after 45 years retired from the profession in 2015. In that time she enriched the lives of thousands of children, earning the title of Best Teacher Ever hundreds of times. Always rooting for the underdog, it wasn’t unusual for us to get random visits over the summer from some little lost soul who missed Mrs. Charnley. When she retired, she had been working as a learning resource teacher and she took tremendous pride in making a breakthrough with a difficult child. She always lead with her heart and if you were ever in her class it’s likely that you also remember her as one of the best.
Jane said that another of her best decisions was to become a mother and she left indelible marks on the hearts of her daughters – Jennifer and Jessica. She was proud of her girls and shared that she thought Jen got her work ethic and people skills and Jessica got her creativity. She was also a tremendous influence on the life of Ed’s son Rob, earning the title of step mom. As a mom, Jane was her children’s biggest support, always there with love and encouragement. Her greatest joy came from the love she grew when she took the title of Nana. Austin was the first to come along and when it became necessary, Nan and Grandad stepped up and took him into their care full time. Blessed are the grandparents that do this, and Nan relished the role. Her yells of “Let’s Go Dunnville” shaking the rafters in arenas all over Southern Ontario will be remembered by anyone who played hockey with Austin. Soon, more grandchildren followed and Rachel, Sasha, Nevaeh, Sam and Everleigh have all been blessed with wonderful memories of Nana – trips Up North, Christmas dinners, endless hours in the pool, fires in the chiminea, sleepovers and cookies amongst their favourite things. Her bonds with her children and grandchildren will continue to forever enrich their lives.
Jane was also a gifted artist, and her medium was fabric. Always talented in “domestic arts”, Jane’s quilts are the true standout, but she also could make just about anything that came with a pattern – clothes, costumes, prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and even a wedding dress or two. Jane loved the friendships that developed during her time spent with the local quilting guild in her retirement. She spent the last few months of her life with her knitting needles, and we are well stocked with dish cloths for years to come!
Jane shared that her other best decision was to marry Ed. Married in 1982, Jane happily adopted Ed’s British heritage and loved travelling with him to England where she will also be missed by Ed’s brother Allan, and cousin Dilys and their families. Jane made the best Yorkshire puddings this side of the Atlantic and was an avid fan of Coronation Street and Premier League Football. Sharing Jane and Ed’s home was their rescue dog Willow, a later addition to the family that also brought smiles to her face. Jane and Ed became masters of the medical appointment calendar and knew all the back roads to the various hospitals and clinics that they visited over the last couple of years, but they felt blessed to be able to navigate it together.
At this time the family would like to thank many people for the care and attention that they paid to Jane (and Ed) over the last few months. To Michaela Morton, Nurse Practitioner – thank you for the care you provided to Jane throughout her cancer treatment, your advocacy for her will forever be appreciated. To all of the home care nurses and PSWs that attended to Mom’s care at home, she was able to stay home like she wanted because of that care. To Maggie – for making your business mobile and ensuring that she had her nails done right to the end, which also meant so much to her. To Aunt Jill – there aren’t words to thank you enough for everything, you made it possible for us to keep Mom at home for long as we did and you stepped up big time for your big sister, Thelma and Louise forever more. And finally, to McNally House staff and volunteers – the level of care that we all received was exceptional, you are true angels on earth. Hospice care made a difficult time less difficult, and we are so grateful that Mom was able to spend her last days there.
When you read a book to a child, when you see a butterfly or a beautiful quilt, think of Jane. And remember some of her final words to those she loved – Work hard, play hard. Be Strong. Be Happy.
Online condolences jwhartfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of CHARNLEY Jane Elizabeth nee Alton 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Dunnville, Province: Ontario