Jean Barbara Boyd

Jean was born in Halifax on September 15, 1931, to Marjorie (Marge) and Robert (RW) Wright. She grew up on Oxford St., attending Sir Charles Tupper School and Halifax Ladies College, before the family moved to “the big house” on what was then Dutch Village Road. Jean married Earle Boyd, the love of her life, and went on to have two children, Cathy and Rob (Bob).

She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi for over 60 years. It was here she made the greatest and most lasting friends of her life, “the girls”. Jean was very social; she always talked about the need to have friends and a support group beyond your family. She loved to entertain and was an excellent cook. Parties, family gatherings and gourmet dinners served on the “good” china, were a regular part of life. She loved a good glass of scotch or a martini. A fashionista, she was known for her love of bright colours, ideally pink, and glitter, despite her son’s opinion about the “bedazzled” look. Jean was knowledgeable about and actively engaged in politics. Jean loved to travel. It was the norm for Earle, Jean, Cathy and Rob to head out each summer for parts unknown. Her journeys took her all over the United States, across Canada, to the UK and memorably, to Bermuda and Europe with her octogenarian father. On one of these trips, she was asked if she was his girlfriend. One can only imagine her response. In later years, trips to Maine satisfied both travel and shopping urges. In times of adversity, Jean was a strong role model. Maggie Thatcher could have taken lessons. She was feisty, on occasion saucy, and nobody’s fool, as she liked to remind family, caregivers and more recently the staff of 4.2 and 8.4 at the Infirmary. Jean was a devoted mother who loved her grandchildren fiercely. She constantly said how proud she was of Sam and Alex. She was thrilled to have attended Sam’s wedding this past October. She may have given the bride a run for her money when it came to selecting an outfit. She was also looking forward to Alex’s wedding in December. As a cat lover, Jean loved to hear stories of Sam’s cat Dyna, (her great-grand fur baby), who to Jean was the most entertaining family member.

Jean is survived by daughter, Cathy; grandchildren Samantha Warshick (Rob Boone) and Alex Warshick (Chelsea McLean); daughter-in-law, Kim Jardine. She was predeceased by her parents; son Robert Boyd; son-in-law Brian Warshick and sister Marjorie Beare.

Special thanks to family friend, Reg Campbell for his friendship and all he did for Jean. Thanks also to her sorority sisters, past and present; to her family doctor, Dr. Susan Haddad, and the staff of 4.2 and 8.4 at the Halifax Infirmary.

Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation, Colorectal Cancer Canada, SPCA or a charity of choice.

A Celebration of Life and Visitation will be held on Friday, February 16, from 2-5 p.m. with remarks at 4 p.m., at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax.