Florence "Jeanette" Meens

Florence “Jeanette” Meens (nee McPhee) passed away peacefully in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on December 18, 2021, at the age of 91. Jeanette was born to parents Daniel (“Danny”) McPhee and Flora “Catherine” McPhee (nee Morrison) on May 13, 1930 in Glace Bay Nova Scotia. She was the fifth oldest child of thirteen children (Ambrose, Allie, Addie, Eileen, (Jeanette), Sally, Angie, Murray, Barb, Fred, John, Aggie and Evelyn).

Jeannette was predeceased by her husband Harry Meens who passed away on January 16, 2020. They met and were married in North Luffenham, England in 1953, where they were both stationed with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Jeanette’s greatest pride and joy were her five surviving children Ann (Meens) Hulford, Kevin (Jane) Meens, Lynn Meens (Gary Carter), Barbara (Tim) Meens Thistle and Beverly (Gord) Meens-Jeeves, her 6 grandchildren Ryan and Thomas (Andrea) Hulford, Gregory (Amanda) and William (Samantha) Jeeves, Spencer and MacKenzie Meens, and 3 great-grandchildren Graysen Jeeves (brother Aiden), Lyla-Ann and Liam Jeeves.

Jeanette was an adventurous and courageous woman, sister and daughter who left the Convent at age 21 to join the Military where she met Harry in England. She worked at the IWK Hospital, Victoria General Hospital and at Sears in administrative and customer service roles. She spoke fondly of her co-workers and for the courage of the families she saw at the IWK and VGH who were supporting loved ones through health issues.

Jeanette was a skilled seamstress and was always able to recreate the latest fashion trend for her children or a home décor project. She was the greatest fan of Rita MacNeil, Winnie Chafe, and Mrs. Mills. Many a Saturday cleaning day she had all three musicians playing loudly on the stereo while she chewed her bubble bum and danced around the house. She loved to return home to Glace Bay to hear her father and her siblings play the piano, fiddle, accordion, and guitar. Jeanette was a kind and giving soul, who was always stepping forward to cheer on others to be the best they can be in life.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Northwood Halifax Campus for their kindness and care of Jeanette over the last six years. In particular our love and thanks go out to Heather, Monique, Lisa, Tamara, Shilika, Dee, Donna, Anu, Zoe, Cathy, Bill, Anne, and the many other dedicated staff on 10 Manor that became a second family to all of us. Our appreciation is also extended to the Palliative Care team that made Mom’s final journey as comfortable as possible over the last several weeks.

The family is grateful for the condolences. Donations in Jeanette’s memory can be made to the Northwood Foundation or a charity of choice.