Jean Lovering Hewko

Jean passed away peacefully at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home, on March 29th, 2025 at the age of 96, with her loving family by her side.

Our beloved Mom will be deeply missed by her children Beverly and Gordon (Kathy), her grandchildren, Dana (Giancarlo), Jay (Felicia), Dennis (Estrella), Stephanie (Randann) and Jeffrey, and by her many great-grandchildren. Jean is also survived by her sister-in- law, Kathleen Forrester, nieces, nephews, cousin and close family friends Dale (Lara) and Scott Bowden.

Jean is predeceased by her husband Lou Hewko, parents, Willo and Marjorie Forrester, her siblings and their spouses, William (Lila), James (Thelma), Leslie, Ruth (Gordon) Breckman as well as sister- in- law Amy (John) Hewko, nieces and nephews and her great-granddaughter Kalii Hewko.

Jean was born and raised in the Aux Marais area near Emerson, Manitoba. She had a wonderful childhood on the farm, surrounded by a loving family and enjoyed all that farm life has to offer. Jean had a great love for nature and animals. In later years, Mom would fondly tell special stories to her grandchildren about growing up on the farm- one of the favorites being the “Kitten Story “ and the kids would plead for her to “please tell it again Gram!”

As a young woman, Jean had a zest for life, coupled with a desire to travel the world. She decided to become a teacher in her mother and grandmother’s footsteps and graduated from Normal School College in Winnipeg at the age of 19. Jean was intelligent, organized and industrious. She started her teaching career in 1947, in a one room school house called McNab School near Myrtle, followed by Union Prairie School (1948) in the Interlake region, Kitamaat School, BC (1950), Newtonhead Primary School Ayr, Scotland (1953) and then back to Canada (1955) teaching at the Marais School. Jean was a great story teller and has documented her many teaching and travel adventures in her own published works: “Far Horizons” as well as “Kaleidoscope of Memories” and through two other published books where she collaborated with numerous Manitoba writers. Jean finally came back to Winnipeg where she taught at Ralph Brown School until 1961, when she gave her notice as she had met her future husband Lou Hewko. They were married in 1961 and moved up to Grand Rapids, Manitoba to begin their married life.

Jean and Lou started their family in Grand Rapids, where Jean also taught. After a few years (1964) they moved back to Winnipeg where Lou started his own business and Jean helped run the business. Lou passed away in 1973, after which Jean sold the business and moved to Fort Richmond, where our resilient mom worked at University of Manitoba during the day and at night took courses to upgrade her Teachers Certificate into a University degree - while raising her children. Jean soon secured a teaching position at Westdale Junior High, which she very much enjoyed and eventually retired at the age of 60.

Once retired, Jean was not idle – it was time for fun! She travelled the world (Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii), spent summers camping with family, went on both an Alaskan Cruise and Caribbean Cruise as well as enjoyed an Elderhostel in Kananaskis, AB. Our creative mom also published four books, painted dozens of beautiful watercolour pictures which were later made into cards, belonged to a Gourmet Dinner Club with her neighbors, started a Book Club, and ushered for many years at Manitoba Theatre Centre. Jean also had a keen interest in genealogy and family history, researching both her own and husband Lou’s family histories. She also contributed to the Manitoba Historical Society. Jean was a long standing member of Trinity United Church, where she taught Sunday school in the early days, and in later years participated in many Bible studies and events. Jean believed in giving back and over the years she has proudly sponsored numerous children overseas and donated to many organizations.

Jean loved games of any kind, and with a competitive spirit was an avid scrabble and crib player - odds always seemed to be on mom’s side to win, much to the chagrin of the grandkids! She also loved scrapbooking and was able to beautifully capture precious memories for our family to enjoy in years to come. As busy as she was, Jean always found lots of time to dedicate to her Grandchildren- whether it be in a teaching capacity helping with papers or homework, going bird watching, bowling, telling good night stories or the most important thing, playing games such as Five Crowns and Yahtzee! They knew they had unconditional love from their Gram and were provided an important role model in their young lives. They all describe her as the best Grandma ever! Gord and I thank mom for her courage, strength, love, light and unwavering commitment to us and our families. We couldn’t have asked for a better Mom.

In later years Jean moved from her home in Fort Richmond to a condo at Oakridge Point where she lived for over 20 years and she especially enjoyed watching the deer and wildlife, as the property backed onto the Seine River. In more recent years she moved to Independent living at The Waverley, followed by a final move to the St. Norbert Personal Care Home, which she enjoyed very much. Typical of Jean, she was much loved there, described as sweet, polite, kind, active and genuinely interested in each individual – she made many friends wherever she went. Right up until her passing Mom played a mean game of scrabble, loved to create in adult coloring books, enjoyed people and listening to music. Mom was a beautiful, intelligent, sweet soul that we will be forever loved and always missed.

The family would like to thank the St. Norbert Personal Care Home, and all the staff that interacted with and supported Jean during her time living there. Their professionalism, dedication and compassion, especially during her final days, are greatly appreciated.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery, followed by an interment where she will be laid to eternal rest.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.