It is with great sadness that the family of Emma Jean Carey, of Lunenburg and formerly of Wolfville announces her passing on Monday, February 17, 2020 at the Veteran’s Unit of the Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg at the age of 104. Born in Canning as Emma Jean Blenkhorn, on February 15, 1916, daughter of the late Scott and Georgie (Pelton) Blenkhorn, her deepest roots have always been in the Annapolis Valley. In her youth, she much preferred playing hockey over the confinement of school. She played with the Canning High School girl's team, and was recruited by a much senior team of girls who played in the active East Coast league of that time (requiring a chaperone for “away” games!). After high school, Jean attended Mount Allison University to complete a program in Home Economics, but her heart was really set on becoming a nurse. She moved to Montreal and graduated as an R.N. from the Royal Victoria Hospital in 1940. In 1941 Jean enlisted in a medical division of the Canadian Army, joining a group of surgical nurses. Her plans for active service were derailed, however, by matrimony! In 1942 she married Frank Carey, who was also in the Army. While he served overseas for 3 and a half years, she worked as an O.R. nurse in the Wolfville Hospital, and cared for the first of their six children. Many changes came in the aftermath of the war. Jean and Frank moved to Quebec so that he could complete an interrupted education. After he was ordained as a United Church minister, they headed for a life together as missionaries in Japan for 14 years. Many special family memories harken to that time. Jean/Frank and family returned to Canada in 1964, and settled in Toronto. Jean had always said that she would go with him wherever work and the spirit of adventure carried them, as long as it was understood that their destination for retirement would be the Annapolis Valley, with a view of Blomidon. That's how they ended up in Wolfville for their happy and fruitful retirement years. They shared a love of family, board games, music, travel, skating and swimming, and involvement in their church community. Jean and Frank's long marriage ended with his death in 2012. She remained living in Wolfville until the move to the Veteran's Unit became necessary. Jean is survived by her daughters, Norma Carey, Lunenburg; Barbara (John) Marks, Scarborough, ON; sons, Ivan (Sherrie) Carey, Lunenburg and Don (Joan) Carey (St Margaret’s Bay); daughters-in-law, Alice Carey, Guelph, ON and Linda Kellar Carey, Keewatin, ON; grandchildren, Brent, Cynthia, Benjamin, Douglas, Stuart, Sandy, Deborah, Robert, Morgan, Graham, Alexander, Lorelei , Michael and Heather; great-grandchildren, Paige, Patrick, Isabella, Emilia, Sage, Pax, Zinnia, Miguel, Gloria, Alex, Evan, Quinn, Ben, Brayden and Rowan. She was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Dr. Edward Francis Carey; sons, James Edward “Ted” and Ken, grand-daughter, Caitlin; sisters, Barbara and Doris and a brother, Ivan. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. #3, Lunenburg. A memorial service to celebrate Jean’s life has been rescheduled and will be held at Orchard Valley United Church, Wolfville, at a date and time to be announced, Rev. Don Sellsted to officiate. Interment will be in Willow Bank Cemetery, Wolfville. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Stephen Lewis Foundation or to a charity of your choice. We extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of the Veterans Unit at Fisherman's Memorial Hospital. For 8 months they gave Mum skilled, tenderhearted, and affectionate care, and kept her comfortable and secure to her end. They were a boon to all of us. www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca