After a long battle with illness, aged 93, at Passamaquoddy Lodge,
St Andrews, NB on March 3, 2017. Born on May 11, 1923 in Malagash,
Nova Scotia, the much loved daughter of Effie May (MacFarlane) and
Levi Gordon Stevens, Jean grew up on a farm with three brothers,
Lloyd, Don, and Webster. Perhaps that is where she learned to hold
her own and to act with a steadfast determination to do the right
thing. After attending Mount Allison University and graduating from
the Montreal General Hospital School of Nursing, Jean spent her life
in the service and support of others- as a practicing RN, and as a
wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, and niece. Jean was a member
of Rockingham United Church and a life member of the UCW there. She
was a great cook. She was also adventurous, and she was always ready
to try new things. She travelled to Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska
with her husband, Robbie, and especially loved returning again and
again to Barbados. She flew by herself to the High Arctic to visit
her daughter, going out on the land in freezing temperatures. She
took her granddaughter to Ireland and braved a Guinness there. She
also travelled the Maritimes and Ontario by car with her
sister-in-law, Dorothy, whale watching and getting lost more than
once. At age 85, she famously made the Air Canada no fly list,
apparently because of a more infamous M. Robertson. Once, she
narrowly missed being crushed by a falling tree while visiting the
outhouse at the family cottage.
Jean spent many summers, first with Robbie and then independently,
at her summer home near Lockeport where she loved to walk the beach
and enjoyed time in their gazebo- doing the cryptoquote, sipping a gin
and tonic, playing Probe with friends, or munching on Tostitos.
It was not what she did, however, but who she was, that affected
those who knew her. Jean was special. She was unfailingly
charitable, generous and kind to everyone and everything- with the
exception of houseplants! She was truly interested in people and she
judged no one, always looking for the best in anyone she met. She was
especially appreciated for her positive outlook, her ready smile, her
uncomplaining acceptance of whatever life threw at her, and her
ability to enjoy life and have fun, whether it be through games or
social gatherings. Our family could not have had a better role model.
Jean is predeceased by her brothers and by her husband, H. Burton
Robertson. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Pierce (Steve) and
son Ian; her much loved grandchildren Jan (Noah Moser), Laura (Ron
Allen) and Jeff (Andrea Isabelle); her great granddaughter, Alice
Moser; as well as nieces and nephews who were very special to
her.
A very heartfelt thank you to friends Helen and Len Sweett, who did
so much to support her, and to the staff at Passamaquoddy Lodge who
cared for her so well during the last four years of her life.
Jean has been cremated and a private family service will be held at a
later date. Donations to Jean’s memory may be made to
Passamaquoddy Lodge, St Andrews, N.B.
In the words of Ron Hynes, “God speed,” and “God
bless” this “sweet soul”…
When God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
He put his arms around you
And whispered come to me
He didn’t like what you went through
And he gave you rest
His garden must be beautiful
He only takes the best
And when we saw you sleeping
So peaceful and free from pain
We wouldn’t wish you back
To suffer that again
Today we say goodbye
And as you take your final rest
That garden must be beautiful
Because you are one of the best.
Anonymous
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jean Robertson.source
avis deces Jean Robertson- avis mortuaire Jean Robertson