Obituary of Jean Helen McKillop

JEAN HELEN McKILLOP The life of a clever, caring and generous lady came gently to its close on Thursday, August 29, 2013 after a fall. At her side were her daughter Marian, son-in-law Trevor Powell, and special nephew John Beattie. Jean was born in Regina to Maud E. Morton and David M. Mann on May 12, 1919. She attended Connaught School and Scott Collegiate where she met her future husband Central Collegiate student Charles L. McKillop. Jean truly knew how to make a home. She enjoyed the arts, especially opera, and supported the Regina Symphony and Globe Theatre. She took a keen interest in a variety of sports. A lifelong reader she loved nothing better than a really thick novel. She read the Leader-Post daily and digital newspapers on her laptop. She had special memories of her two trips to England. Her characteristic dry sense of humour never left her. Jean’s early work life included the Toronto Grocery and the telephone order desk at Robert Simpsons in Regina and towards the end of World War II Number One Manning Depot in Toronto. She was among the pioneer generation of working mothers and was an employee at the Regina Book Exchange and at Kemsol Products retiring in 1981 to care fulltime for her husband. Throughout her life she showed courage and perseverance in the challenges which faced her, especially in the later years. City girl, Jean moved her china and crystal to the family farm at Silton and coped without hot running water, and telephone lines which went out in a high wind, while providing home dialysis for Charlie. She learned to ride a snowmobile in case of a winter medical emergency. Jean was very proud of her independence in remaining on the farm alone for seventeen years after his death. She lived in her own apartment in Regina until age 92. Jean was predeceased by her husband Charlie in 1982; and by her sisters Margaret Mann and Mabel Beattie; and niece Heather Beattie Whittaker. In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her brother Stuart (Yvonne) Mann; nieces and nephews, Frazer (Lorie) Mann, Murray (Lysette) Mann, Maureen (Rick Love) Mann, all of Regina; Kim (Rod) Hladun, Winnipeg; John Beattie, Lumsden; Ken (Cathy) McKillop, Vancouver; and Tannis McKillop, Salt Spring, BC. The family wishes to thank the care workers at the Gardiner Point Care Home, and the nurses of the Regina General Hospital Ward 5E for their care of Jean. A Celebration of Jean’s Life will be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK on Friday, September 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. with the Very Reverend Mike Sinclair officiating. Interment at a later date. Jean was a Friend of St. Paul’s Cathedral and a supporter of the Building in Faith mission project. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Cathedral Building in Faith, 1501 College Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 1B8. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com