Jean Wason

September 9, 1933 - August 16, 2013 Jean passed away with her family by her side after a short courageous battle with cancer on August 16, 2013 in Shellbrook, SK. Jean was born on September 12, 1933 on a farm in the Pine Grove district. She was the oldest of 3 children with younger siblings Howard and Mansford. The family lived in the Pine Grove District until the fall of 1940 when Jean with her parents, Bob and Clara Kennedy moved to the Rozilee district to a quarter section that Bob rented from William Brown. She took her schooling in Rozilee all the while doing chores, milking 10 cows and helping to feed the threshing crews. In 1953, she left the farm and starting working at the telephone office in Shellbrook. A year later, she married the love of her life, Stuart Harry Wason. For the first few years they lived with her parents until they got their own place. During this time the family grew. First Debbie in 1955, followed by Gary in 1956 and Margo in 1958. As the family grew Stuart and Jean moved to their first home on 4th Ave West. Stuart, or “Smokey” as his friends called him, was working for Stu Laycock the BA Oil Agent. He also hauled fuel from Regina around this time. As the family expanded again with Keith in 1967, Sherri in 1968 and Scott in 1971, they moved to a larger home. Growing up those years you were very close with your cousins. There were lots of family gatherings back and forth at Aunt and Uncles. The children entertained each other while the adults spent many hours playing cards and socializing. Summers were spent with family and most often, in-laws and cousins. A lot of time was spent at Neslin Lake which was a true favorite place of hers. They spent just about every weekend during the summer camping and fishing with family and cousins. Often they would leave right after work and would end up setting up camp in the dark. On one trip Jean and her sister-in-law were pulling the boat in front and maybe going too fast when they rounded a corner and lost a hubcap. Smokey and Howard were following and didn’t see it but upon seeing the missing hubcap, Smokey got a little upset and had to be calmed down. I think Jean probably slowed down also! Jean also enjoyed Bingo and curling often going to bonspiels in the area with her girlfriends. While winning wasn’t the main objective, socializing certainly was. She had a passion for dancing so Smokey and her rarely missed a dance at the Rozilee Hall. Her motto was “Laughter is the best medicine”. She was willing to go to numerous lengths to make others laugh. Halloween was a favorite time for her. She loved nothing more than to dress up with her friend Alvina and visit their numerous friends. While she worked at the Hotel, she enjoyed dressing up with Chris and Greg and teasing the patrons. Jean was always willing to participate in mock weddings. It was hard to imagine that Jean kept her motto alive even when on Sept 1972 tragedy struck losing her best friend and love of her life, Stuart. She became a young widow with 6 children to raise by herself. She took on this role of a single parent and became even more devoted. Everything she did from that time on was devoted to ensuring her children were given the best life possible. Jean again was faced with another tragedy in the winter of 1976 when her home burnt and the family lost everything. She again showed her strength and determination to carry on, staying with family until spring at which time she purchased a mobile home for her family. Jean also had many joyful times in these years, the marriage of children followed by the birth of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Although she was a homebody, she was able to make numerous trips to Alberta and BC to visit family members, times she truly cherished. In May of 2005, a parent’s worst nightmare happened; Jean lost her daughter, Margo. It is possible the stress of this loss added to the start of her own health problems. She silently but courageously carried on. She truly enjoyed preparing lunch for her boys and looked forward to seeing them at noon. On Saturdays Gary would take Jean to Lou’s Place so she could put in her hockey picks and afterward, enjoy a Calgary beer. As her eyesight began to fail and she became more housebound she was delighted with visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Listening to the chatter of them brought a smile to her face. In this last month as her health was failing, she was able to be at home and looked after by her family. There was nothing more that she enjoyed then to be surrounded by family. Her sense of humor was still evident when she would be asked how she was feeling she would reply “Nothing that a kick in the ass won’ fix.” We know you are in a better place. You have been reunited with the Love of you Life, Smokey and your precious daughter, Margo. So rest in peace Mom until we meet again. Jean will be lovingly remembered by her children: Deb Kotyk, Gary Wason, Keith (Kerri) Wason, Sherri (Darrel Lens) Wason and Scott (Richelle) Wason; her grandchildren: Craig (Leanne) Jones, Corey (Sarah) Jones, Andrea (Marlin) Gouldhawke, Tara Lenz, Trevor Gouldhawke, Tavis Wason, Courtney Lens, Abbie Lens, Tanner Wason and Jared Wason; her step-grandchildren: Waylon Delisle, Sheridan Folden and Chase Folden; her great-grandchildren: Amy Jones, Anna Jones, Peyton Stene, Alyssa Lenz, Thora Lenz and Jayda Gouldhawke; her step great-granddaughter: Rayah Baxter; her sisters-in-law: Mary & Earl Parks and Jo Falebrenza; her son-in-law: Wayne Gouldhawke; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jean was predeceased by her husband: Stuart Wason; her daughter: Margo Gouldhawke; her son-in-law: Orest Kotyk; her brother: Harold Kennedy; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Howard & Ethel Kennedy and Mansford & Vernal Kennedy; her brother-in-law: Steve Falebrenza; her parents: Robert & Clara Kennedy; and her parents-in-law: Amy & Harry Wason. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Palliative Care Unit at the Shellbrook Integrated Health Complex, Box 70, #100 Dr. JL Spencer Driver, 2nd Ave West Shellbrook, SK S0J 2E0. A Funeral was held on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 – 2:00 pm, Elks Hall, Shellbrook, SK. Arrangements in care of Northern Funeral Service, MacKenzie Chapel. Brian and Bev Stobbs, Funeral Directors. 306.763.8488 www.northernfuneralservice.ca