Jean Brenda Andrew

Jean was born the fourth child of Evangeline and Harold Sylvester in Multan, which was in India pre-independence. She spent her early life in India, and then moved with family back to Edinburgh, Scotland, where she attended George Watson’s Ladies College.

Jean was an outgoing, energetic, adventurous, mischievous person with a strong sense of community. She loved sharing time, activities and stories with family and friends. She enjoyed the arts, gardens, the natural world and visiting new places. Jean fell in love with Alexander (Sandy) Brown and they married in 1952. Shortly thereafter they left Scotland to work in the Middle East. Sandy’s architectural work led them to Nicosia, Cyprus, where Jean worked as a newsreader for the Cyprus Broadcasting Service. In the late 1950s, unrest relating to the drive for Cypriot independence led Jean and Sandy and their two sons to return to Edinburgh. There, they set up home and were joined by a daughter in 1961. Jean’s strong sense of community motivated her to become involved in charity work that included acting as Chair of a home for unmarried mothers for over a decade, acting as compère for charity fashion shows, and presenting a radio show for a local hospital on Christmas mornings.

In 1980, Jean and Sandy parted ways, and she emigrated to Vancouver. She married Ted Andrew (another Scot), and together they led an active life hosting regular family visits, introducing Canadian friends to Scottish traditions such as Burns nights and whisky (without an “e”), sharing visits to Bard on the Beach, and travelling the world. They moved to White Rock in 1998 and became active members of the community and St John’s Church. Jean continued her charity work, becoming friends with her Meals On Wheels clients. When Ted died in 2023, Jean moved to Sunrise of Vancouver, where she passed away peacefully three years later.

Jean is survived by her children Alistair (Carolyn), Magnus (Anne) and Meredith (David); her grandchildren Rowan, Dawn (Ross), Kyla (Richard), Kimberley, Myles (Charlotte) and Cameron (Louise); and by her great grandchildren Maddison, Erin, Julie, Alexander, Sienna and Ariana. Jean is also survived by her step-children Eric (Anne) and Kathryn (Gary); her step-grandchildren Daniel (Tiffany), Michelle, Murray and Allison (Adam); and by her step-great granddaughter Lily.