Jean passed peacefully at the age of 96 in Halifax on February 22, 2020. Born in 1923 in Berwick, NS, Jean was the daughter of Kenneth and Etta (Nichols) Aalders. After graduating from Berwick High School, Jean worked as a telephone operator for MT&T in Berwick and Halifax. She met her beloved Walter while he was posted with the RCAF in Greenwood during WWII. Jean and Walter moved to Halifax and married in 1948. After leaving the workforce to raise their 3 children, Jean returned to work, becoming a film librarian with the Department of Education Media Services until she retired. Jean was a member of West End Baptist Church for over 60 years and spent many decades as an active church volunteer. Jean was a Dominion Life Member of the Baptist Women’s Missionary Society. For more than 50 years, Jean was a member of the J.W. Logan Chapter of the I.O.D.E.
Jean is survived by her daughters Heather (Rick) Allen, Maryvale; Barb (Norm) Pinsky, Hubley; and daughter-in-law Ann Harrington Carmichael, Halifax. Jean leaves behind 11 grandchildren – Cady (Amos) Crawley; Lauren (Dustin Valen) Allen; Karen Allen; Ian (Tammy) MacAskill; Andrew (Katie) MacAskill; Adam, Tova and Will Pinsky; Jonathan (Alexandra) Carmichael; Laura (Barney Wood) Carmichael; and Kathleen Carmichael. Jean is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and 2 nieces. Jean was predeceased by her husband Walter, her son Rob, and her sister Marjorie (Maurice) Zwicker.
Jean lived on Bridges Street in Halifax until 2015, not far from MacLean Street where she and Walter raised their family. Grammie Jean’s house was the place where family and friends were always welcome. Jean’s warmth and love, as well as her excellent molasses brown bread and valley apple pies, will be fondly remembered.
No flowers or visitation by request.
The family will celebrate Jean’s life and bury her cremated remains at the Berwick Cemetery at a later date.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
To send online condolences, please visit: www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com
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