Helen Jean Mitchell

At the age of 105 years and 355 days, Jean passed away peacefully in Winnipeg. She was born in the year crossword puzzles were invented, which may explain her life-long enjoyment of puzzles of all sorts: crossword jigsaw, word scrambles. There wasn’t a puzzle that Jean couldn’t solve.

Her life, with the exception of a short time in Edmonton during the First World War, was lived in Winnipeg. She grew up as a child and into adulthood on Corydon Avenue with her parents, Rosslyn Brough Mitchell and Della Harvey Mitchell; and her sister, Grace Edith (Mitchell) McIntosh; and brother James Rosslyn Mitchell. The summers of her childhood were spent at Victoria Beach. As a natural athlete, Jean swam and canoed and golfed and indulged her love of nature by maintaining a beautiful garden. Her berry picking crop would be turned into tasty jellies or delicious baked goods. Her love of Victoria Beach continued throughout her life. Her bunkhouse was her refuge when her nieces and nephew descended upon the cottage.

She, along with her parents, later moved to an apartment on Pembina Highway and Jean provided Ross and Della to live in their own home until later in their lives. She then moved into an apartment near her brother, Jim and sister-in-law Catherine Clubb Mitchell. At the age of 94, Jean decided to move back to Pembina Highway into Riverwood Square, an independent living facility. She embraced the life there and ruled the jigsaw puzzle room and challenged her nieces to pool games, which she inevitably won.

Her interests were many and varied. She continued to golf and bowl into her 90s. For a visit to her nieces at West Hawk Lake, she purchased a new “Speedo” so that she could enjoy early morning swims. Her hands were always crafting beautiful and hand-knitted or crocheted items. She produced amazing cross-stitched items, some of which were her own design. She learned woodworking in an era when that wasn’t thought seemly for a woman. She was an expert target rifle shooter and longtime member of the Winnipeg Civilian Rifle Association. She was an avid reader and maintained a complete log of the books that she had read. Her love of travel took her to many parts of North America and Europe with friends. She continued her connection with the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She played canasta and outplayed contestants on the game show, Jeopardy.

Her family was all important to her. She was predeceased by her parents, Ross and Della Mitchell; as well as her sister and brother-in-law, Edith and George McIntosh; and her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Cathy Mitchell.

Jean was a wonderful aunt. Her nephew, D. Ross McIntosh, predeceased her. Her six nieces can regale you with Auntie Jean stories. She leaves behind Helen Hesse (Helmut), Mary McIntosh (Bill Forbes), Susan Church (Stan), Sheila Mitchell Lenes, Barbara McNeil (Walter Bruns) and Carla Lang Nielsen (Paul).

She also leaves Helen and Helmut’s sons: Nicholas (Jennifer, Calvin, Aurora); Andreas (Cissy, Matthew, Markus); Christopher (Kheng, Connor, Felix); and Paul.

Ross’ daughters: Charissa McIntosh and Bryanna Spina (Giovanni, Lisandro, Mauro, Ilia).

Mary’s daughters: Sheila Conlon (Russell, Everett) and Lauren Johnson (Reid Ferguson, Sadie, Asher, Ellie)

Susan’s family: Leah Weatherill (John, Susanna, Cameron, Heidi); Sarah Anseeuw (Kevin, Cole, Rachel); Curt Kitchen (Kristen).

Sheila’s sons: Haakon and Martin Lenes.

Barbara’s family: Eleanor, Margot and Hugh McNeil.

She never forgot a birthday and celebrated each person’s special day with a thoughtfully chosen card.

Her secret to longevity was, “I do what I can, and I can do what I can’t.” She leaves a big hole in many people’s hearts for one so small.

The family will gather together to celebrate Jean’s life.

Memorial donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society or a charity of your choice.