Jean Elizabeth Morpurgo

Morpurgo, Jean – With profound sorrow, Jean’s family announced that she passed after a brief stay at Palliative Care Unit of the VG Site, QE II in Halifax on December the 3rd. She was at peace and surrounded by family and friends.

Jean was born in London, England on August 27, 1946 and is survived by her father Ralph Morpurgo and brother Stephen (Rachel) both of London and her three children Kirstie Wright (Corey) of Mabou, N.S. Duncan Wright of Halifax and Benjamin Wright of Toronto, and their father, Dr. Bruce Wright and nieces Elizabeth, Sarah, Megan and nephew Joseph. Predeceased by her mother Isabel Nash.

Jean grew up in London and early on gained an abiding passion for theatre. Halifax became her home in 1980. After many years as a physiotherapist, she answered the call that had beckoned for so long and ultimately returned to university and then on to many achievements as a director, actor, and dramaturge in Nova Scotia. A fitting tribute to Jean happened earlier this year when she received the Merritt Legacy Award in recognition of her substantial contribution to theatre in Nova Scotia.

She enriched the lives of many people and will be sadly missed by her family and countless friends. Those who knew Jean are left with a great legacy of how to live life to the fullest with grace, wit and humor. She was remarkable steadfast in greeting each day with a gutsy attitude that said the show must go on. Her generous spirit will live on.

Her passions were eclectic, ranging from finding bargains at Value Village to Saturday afternoon at the Opera and a host of other delights in between. Thoughts of two quite recent happy highlights in Jean’s life – directing a play this summer at Festival Antigonish and then this fall travelling with her children to London to celebrate her dad’s 90th birthday will not be forgotten.

Much gratitude is expressed by the family to all who cared so well for Jean and became an integral part of her extended family. There were countless acts of kindness and caring from a devoted mélange of friends, all of which are deeply appreciated.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home at 2032 Robie Street, where visitation will take place on Saturday December 11th from 2-4pm, followed by a brief service at 4 PM. Cremation has taken place.

At Jean’s request the family will host a gathering for friends to remember Jean and celebrate her life on Saturday, December 11th at The Economy Shoe Shop from 7 onwards. All are welcome and, if you can, please wear a bit of yellow, Jean’s favorite color, or bring a yellow flower. Together we can embrace all the sunshine she brought into our lives and remember how the human spirit is capable of greatness.

Donations to honor Jean may be made to your choice of charity or to Pal Halifax, the Stephen Lewis Foundation of The Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences may be conveyed through www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com