Jean Rothery

Jean Marie Olive Rothery (Villeneuve) was born on April 18, 1925, the third child of Lawrence and Grace (Poulin) Villeneuve, in Port Arthur, Ontario. The family including her siblings, Anthony (Pete), Rita, and Annette lived in a 3-bedroom bungalow, with their maternal grandmother. They played cribbage together nightly and in the winters her dad made an ice rink in their back yard so the family and neighborhood kids would skate. Jean loved school at kept her grades above 90%. She loved sports, speed skating and at age 14 she won the track and field trophy for her school. She also had a flair for the arts playing “Goldilocks” for 3 years and “Mary” in the Birth of Christ school productions.

We all know how much Gram loved Christmas! At one time she had more than eight kinds of Christmas trees decorated in her home. She came by it honestly for has long as she could remember every year a few weeks before Christmas with the family dog, her dad and siblings would take their sled and go into the woods and chop down a Christmas tree. Her mom would make popcorn and after church the Sunday before Christmas they would string the popcorn to decorate the tree. Gram started her own Christmas tradition and each grand-child, niece, nephew, was gifted a tree ornament at some point in their life.

It was at the world famous “milk rink” where Jean met Viljo (William) Oliver Fiskar. Their courtship lasted 1 ½ years before her parents consented to their marriage on Saturday, December 10th, 1941, they were married at her parent’s home with seventy-five family and friends in attendance. Together they built their home and she even helped put up the siding on the house. They were blessed with two children, Sandra Lee, and David George.

Jean wanted to pursue personal happiness and with that decided to end her marriage to Bill. In 1949 she packed up her children and ventured across Canada with Richard (Dick) Rothery and his daughter Maxine. They settled in the east side of Vancouver, B.C. They were married on August 12th, 1969, together they raised Maxine, David, and their first grand-daughter Teryl (Maxine), who was the pride & joy of their lives. Jean and Dick had many close friends over the years, Connie & Doug Jang, Ed & Lorraine Bastarache, Laura & Roland Faucher, Diane & Bill Nielsen, to mention a few. Their home was always filled with family and friends dropping by for a visit or a friendly card game. We all fondly remember Sunday family dinner’s Roast Beef and Yorkshire’s (Poppa’s favorite) and of course Gram’s lemon meringue, apple and pumpkin pies were the best. She taught her son and grand-children how to bake and make pie pastry. Every Christmas each family looked forward to receiving Granny’s baking basket filled with cookies, nanaimo bars, date bars, and banana loaf with a Christmas tree ornament. Poppa and Gram had a good life together raising Teryl and spending time with the other grand-children helping out Dave & Vickie while they worked. There is not a grand-child or family child member that does not remember Gram asking when you stayed over “what do you want for breakfast?” The answer; “Milkshakes” … off she would go in her slippers and housecoat to the corner store and buy a block of ice cream to make her magical shakes! Sadly, Dick (Poppa) passed away on October 6, 1981, leaving her to embrace and experience what lay ahead in her life journey.

A few years later Jean decided to relocate back to her birthplace, now known as Thunder Bay, Ontario to spend time with her daughter, Sandy (Carmen), her grand-daughters, her sister Rita and many nieces and nephews. She loved helping her niece Jan (Erle) minding her great niece and nephews.

Missing the West Coast, she moved back to B.C. and eventually settled in the city of Enderby in the North Okanagan region where she made new friends and spent time with her friend Pearl Polson of more than fifty years. Pearl and Jean continued to remain close friends and eventually they landed together again at Lakeway Gardens in Abbotsford. During the past 15+ years, she has enjoyed making many new friends throughout the complex, they included members of the “Lunch Group;” Barb1, Barb2, Mary Lou, Lorraine, Lee, Diane, Linda, and the “Coffee Crew”; Ursula, Mel & Marge, Heather & Ernie, Emily & Dermit, and Angie. She treasured your friendships and enjoyed outings, shopping, cards, many laughs and of course cheering on the “Canucks” through hockey season- win or lose!

She lived a simple life. It did not take much to make her happy-a phone call, a card, a visit, or a card game. She was immensely proud of her family. She was blessed with 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their warm thanks to Vickie, acknowledging all her support to Gram for over 60 years.

Jean gained a daughter Carol, her son’s partner whom she loved dearly. The entire family is forever grateful to Carol for looking after her medical and personal needs always loving and supporting her unconditionally.

Mom, Gram, Great-Granny, Aunt Jean, Jean you affected our lives in so many ways and there is a part of you in each of us. So, for your wisdom, your humor, tenderness and compassion, your patience, friendship, and your love, we will save a special corner in our hearts to keep you with us.

Prayer for Jean

God of Love and Compassion,

You look with tenderness on your beloved sons and daughters,

who have been saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

We ask you to show that same embracing compassion and tender mercy to

Jean Marie Olive Rothery (Villeneuve)

whom You have called from this life.

May she enjoy the fullness of here risen life with Jesus and all the

Saints, bathed in Your glory,

Light and tender mercy.

Amen.