Obituary
NOTICE
A Graveside Service for Jean Mellen will be held on
Friday, May 27th, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery
Fellowship and lunch to follow at Omega Funeral Home
83 Royal Rd. S, Portage la Prairie
Jean Isabel Mellen (Wilton)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend Jean Isabel Mellen on June 15th, 2021 at the Douglas Campbell Lodge.
Jean was born in High Bluff to Maxwell and Laura Wilton June 17th, 1924. She was the youngest of five children. She attended north High Bluff School for elementary and high school in High Bluff and MacGregor for Grade 12. Jean entered Psychiatric Nurses training in 1941 and graduated in 1944.
Jean worked at the Manitoba School until 1948 until her marriage to Ted Mellen in 1948. Left to mourn her are her daughter Kathi Ryshak (Terry), sons; Andrew, Michael and Bradley.
Grandchildren; Shane Ryshak, Katelyn Jean Ryshak, Courtney Miller (Chris) Bradley Mellen (Bree) and 3 beautiful great grandchildren Ethan, Reid and Laila Miller. Daughter in law Sheila Mellen and best friend Crystal Hart and family.
She was predeceased by her father in 1936 and her mother Laura in 1996, brother Max Wilton in 1976 and sister Velma Rowley in 2013. She was predeceased by younger brother Jack Wilton and Irma Wilton at a young age.
Jean and Ted lived in the Elite Theater Apartment for 5 years before they had built the house on 10th St. N.W. as the family was growing to a family of six.
The Elite Theater apartment was very unique it was a two story and was only 5.5 feet wide by 84 feet long! At the time it was in the Guinness Book of Records for being the most narrow apartment in the world. Jean also took care of her father in-law Amasa Mellen as his health was failing!
Jean and Ted owned a cottage at Delta Beach #66 1/2. Ted and his brother Owen owned the Elite Theater and when it was sold in 1962, then moved to Lake Chapala/Guadalajara Mexico for 1 year. Moving back to Neepawa, Manitoba for 1 year. and then moving to Melbourne Florida for 8 years. Then in 1972, moving back to Portage, to be close to her mother Laura Wilton.
Jean was an avid reader and a Blue Jays fan for over 40 years. She loved sports, walking, biking, family, friends and animals. She loved when her daughter and grand-daughter would bring dogs and cats to visit pre-covid. She especially loved old movies. She had a smart phone which she loved to research many things and her tablet to play games on. Jean had a wonderful sense of humor and loved her family and friends.
Jean was always meticulous about her looks, especially her hair, never a hair out of place. She was always dressed up with earrings and necklace to match the outfits.
Jean always looked forward to her oldest grandson Shane’s face-time chat from all over the world. Jean always tried to find the good in everyone. She lived at Douglas Campbell for last 8 years and she retained her quick wit right up to the end with her family at her side.
Jean was a devout member of Jehovah’s Witnesses, both in Portage la Prairie and in Florida. She had many good friends in her congregation and liked to share her faith with everyone she talked to. Her main partners in crime (Mary Stone, Evelyne Sharp with their endless humor and stories). Mom will also be missed by her good friend Annie Praymeyer at the Douglas Campbell Lodge.
In lieu of flowers donations would be greatly appreciated to PAWS (Portage Animal Welfare Society), 121 – 12th St. NE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 4A2.
Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean Isabel Mellen, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jean Isabel Mellen June 17 1924 June 15 2021 (age 96)..
Death notice for the town of: Portage-la-Prairie, Province: Manitoba