Jean Kerr Parker

Jane Kerr Parker (nee Elwood) was her legal name, but from birth she was always called "Jean". Her official birthdate was June 24, 1937, but her actual birthdate was June 23, 1937. Her father, Richard Elwood, had too good a time celebrating her birth and officially recorded her birth as June 24th. Jean only found this out when she and Noel went to get a marriage license and they couldn't find a record of her birth on June 23rd. Jean learned the story from her mother, Agnes Elwood, and she was mortified.

Jean and Noel lived in the same neighbourhood, just one street over. They got engaged when Jean was 16 and were married at Belfast Castle on December 18, 1954 when Jean was 17. They spent their honeymoon in London, England. Their first child, Barbara, was born on February 10, 1956. They emigrated to Canada in July 1957 when Jean was 19. Their second child, Helen, was born on October 17, 1958.

Jean worked as a building superintendent for many years, first at an apartment building on Lawrence Ave. West, and then at a townhouse development on Castlegrove Blvd. When they moved to Valley Woods Road and were blessed with three grandchildren (Ryan, Amanda and Jessica), Jean began volunteering at their school, Three Valleys Public School. Jean went on many class trips with the kids.

Jean worked as a lunch room supervisor at Three Valleys Public School for many years and enjoyed the interactions with the kids there. She only stopped working there when she reached the mandatory retirement age of 65.

Jean was all about family; nothing made her happier than getting together with family. Jean was blessed to have five great-grandchildren and was known by them as "Gigi" (Saige, Brady, Logan, Harper and Claire).

Jean lost the love of her life, Noel, when he died on August 27, 2011.

Jean loved all the dogs we had over the years and was devoted to them: Erin, Megan, Kelly and Tegan. She also loved all the other dogs in the family: Auzzy, Nikki, Monty, Lacey and Winnie.

Jean was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and her absence is a huge loss to the entire family.

MEMORIALS FROM FAMILY:

BARBARA:

Mom, it is so hard to say goodbye to you. You were my best friend and it seems impossible that you are no longer here with your family. All the values and traditions you and dad instilled in all of us will live on; we will make you proud because I know you and dad are now reunited in heaven and you are both looking down on us and guiding us.

I will carry on the tradition of solar lights in our garden at Red Eagle....it will be so bright you'll be able to see it from heaven. And when we win at Bingo, it will be in your honour. I will miss hearing your great-grandchildren calling for "Dr. Gigi" whenever they needed a band-aid for their small cuts and scrapes.

You were the best mother ever, and I will see you and dad again one day when we are reunited in heaven.

Love, Barbara

HELEN:

My Mom,

How do I say what my mother meant to me. I can tell you that now she's gone and I miss her so very much. There is a huge hole in my heart and an emptiness in my life.

When I think of my mom, 2 words come to my mind - love and family. Mom loved her family ferociously and she passed that love of family down to each and every one of us.

Friends were always envious of the closeness of our family. When I was younger I thought every family was like ours. As I got older and started my own family, I began to realize just how special our family was. We all get together for birthdays, holidays and special events in our lives. These traditions will continue on, not just for you Mom but because of you and the love for family you have instilled in all of us.

I called you every day just to say hello and see how your day was going. I'm going to miss that time with you the most. I know you're in Dad's arms again and one day we will meet again in heaven. God bless you.

Your loving daughter, Helen

CHARLIE:

To Mrs. Parker: That is what I called you when we first met. Then I called you Jean, and as time went on I called you mother. And then you were called Grandma from your three grandchildren who you loved very much and looked after them in your home. Then you were called Gigi from your five great-grandchildren. Through all the years from Christmas, Birthdays, Vacations and sporting outings for the kids, you always were there for us. Thank you and I will miss you. I'm proud that you called me your Son.

Love, Charlie

AMANDA:

My grandma was a woman with such a personality. I loved her feisty attitude and carefree ways. But from my early years she was always there, watching us during the week days and I loved that she was our lunch lady at school. When we were sick she made our favourite soup and gave us Ginger Ale for our tummy's and made us feel so loved and cared for. That never changed as we aged. As I grew up our bond only strengthened. She was always there for me when I needed her. Then I became a mom and I took all she gave me and I put that into my own relationship with my kids. I'm more than thankful all three of my children had the chance to know her and love her the way I did for years. We were very blessed with her as our matriarch and I will miss her every day.

Love, Manda

BRADY:

I love Gigi from here to wherever she is. I wish she was still here with us.

LOGAN:

I loved her wrinkly skin, her hugs and the middle finger we would give to each other. I would also do anything to have her back one more time.

HARPER:

I loved her when she was here, I can hug her and kiss her lots of days.

RYAN:

Grandma, you were the bright sun at the center of our universe. You showed me a model of kindness, and care that I hope to live by and instill in my children. Even when you were being tough, or dare I say maybe even a little prickly you’d always end up with a smile on your face in the end. You and Papa both were wonderful examples of keeping a smile on, come what may.

Life will not be the same without you there at all of our milestones, to be Doctor Gigi for the kids or to literally feed me our ancestral roots with a stocking full of British chocolate at Christmas or soda bread on a Saturday brunch. Honestly it would be easier to name the nooks and crannies of my life you didn’t touch, to name the places not made more pale by your absence.

I’ll miss our little chats, I’m sorry they weren’t more frequent - but that phone call out of the blue (”oh, it’s just me”), or the stolen moment in the corner of the restaurant where it was just me and you will be something I always keep in my heart.

As I said to you in those difficult final hours - thank you for all that you gave us, and just know I’ll always carry your love with me.

RACHEL:

Jean, the first time I saw you was in a picture Ryan sent to me in the early days of our dating. In that moment I could tell so much about who you were. You had a cheeky smile and a finger pointed at the camera (and me,) and I could tell you were full of wit, humour and joy. I was so thankful to get to know you, as I didn’t get the same time with your husband Noel, and Ryan always spoke of you both so highly. Thank you sharing stories, and for always being so kind to me. Thank you for making me cups of tea at the trailer, and loving Claire. As sad as I am that you’re gone, I’m so happy that you and your husband have found each other once again, and I know you’re at peace. I’ll be sure to always keep my tea extra sweet, keep Ryan on his toes, love Claire a bit too much, and feed my dog one too many treats, I think it’s what you’d want.

Love, Rachel

SAIGE:

Gigi, talks with you were always so interesting, even if it was the same story I heard 30 times or a new one that was crazier than the last. Every conversation, every interaction was gold, the smiles of reassurance you gave or the scoldings. Everything you did was with heart. The hugs you gave were warm and the memories are cemented in my mind. Every story, every moment I spent with you was memorable in some way. Secretly (now not so) making fun of members of the family or just laughing over something random. I thank you for every memory, for all the love you’ve given me. I wouldn’t have turned out the way I am now without your help, thank you for your support.

Life will not be the same but you left your mark that will stay forever. Thank you, I love you very much.

* * * * * * * * * *

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jean Kerr Parker on February 15th, 2023 at the age of 85. She passed away peacefully at Scarborough General Hospital.

Jean was beloved by all who knew her, whether you knew her as Mom, Grandma, Gigi, Mrs. Parker, or simply Jean. She was a loving, caring and attentive force of nature who touched the lives of all that she met. Jean was predeceased by the love of her life and husband, Noel Elliott Parker. She is survived by her daughters Barbara and Helen (Charles); grandchildren Ryan (Rachel), Amanda (John), and Jessica (Chay); great-grandchildren Saige, Brady, Logan, Harper, and Claire; and her beloved dog Tegan. She was our center of gravity and will be missed tremendously.

A Memorial Visitation for Jean will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Paul O’Connor Funeral Home, 1939 Lawrence Ave. E, Scarborough, ON M1R 2Y8. A Memorial Service will occur on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 2:00 PM, 1939 Lawrence Ave. E, Scarborough, ON M1R 2Y8. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice - the family is recommending for your consideration Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.