Mrs. Jean Lorraine Fortier

There are no words to describe the sadness and sorrow felt at the passing of our mom, Jean Lorraine Fortier (Durant) on June 7, 2025. She passed on her own terms and in her own bed surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her six children, Lorraine, Judith, Paul (Jackie), Janine (Ben), Richard (Fatima) and James. As well as ten grandchildren, Aaron, Ty (Nikki), Cara, Simone (Brenden), Colleen (Chris), Saundra (Neal), Brandon (Erintaya), Joanne, Sam (Charlie), and Andrea, and seven great grandchildren Ayden, Mya, Karl, Elizabeth, Alexander, Nikole, and Kenzie.

Mom is predeceased by her husband, Jacques Auguste Fortier (Jim) as well as her parents, Glenn Morely Durant, and Lydia Anderson Durant (Johnson) and her siblings Irene Mann, Donna Grant, Sheila Charpentier and Doug Durant.

Mom was born on December 11, 1923, in the small town of Carstairs, AB. Around the age of thirteen she and the family moved to Disbury, AB where she spent her teen years. Upon finishing high school mom attended Normal School in Calgary and became a teacher where she taught in Harmattan and Didsbury, AB. Around 1945 Mom joined her family in Vancouver where she worked as a librarian at the Carnegie Library. She lived with her parents who ran a boarding home, and this is where she met the love of her life, Jim. On September 16, 1949, the couple were married and went on to have six children. Sadly, Jim would not see his youngest son, James, as 2 months prior to James’ birth he was killed in an industrial accident at Woodfibre Pulp and Paper Mill.

After such a tragic loss mom dedicated her life to keeping her six children safe. She was determined to keep a roof over our heads and food on our table which at times was a struggle. She was able to purchase a home in the Dunbar area which as she said, kept us safe, and as long as she paid her house taxes no one could take her home away from her. That house on Dunbar, with a single mom and six children was full of love and laughter.

When her youngest attended kindergarten Mom began working for the Vancouver School Board as a supervision aid where she worked at Quilchena Elementary School and Queen Elizabeth Annex. Mom retired in 1991.

Mom’s strength came from her deep faith in God. She believed in forgiveness, and acceptance and loved her family unconditionally. Mom was loved beyond measure, and she will be forever missed.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, June 20, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Ocean View Funeral Home, located at 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your local food bank or women’s shelter.

As Mom said, “don’t be sad about my passing, have a party and celebrate my life.”