Jean Gordon Cooper Hockin

HOCKIN (Cooper), Jean Gordon April 6, 1924 - August 4, 2015. Dear sister to Frances and Nora; beloved mother to Nora, John (Debbie), Anne, Sheila (Kris), Harold, Andrew (Sharon), and Gerald (Junko). Jean was predeceased by her husband, John, and daughter, Nora. Jean lived for her family and was thrilled by their accomplishments. Her sense of humour and love of life shone through at all times; she always welcomed visitors and had a large following of all ages. She was eternally optimistic, never spoke ill of others, and enjoyed a good laugh. Born in London, Ont., her family moved to Toronto in 1935. As a young girl, she attended school in the Swansea area of Toronto and summered at the family cottage on Juniper Island in Bala, Muskoka. She attended Havergal College in the early '40s and graduated from Trinity College Toronto in 1946, with a degree in biochemistry. She was considering a career in medicine when she met the love of her life, John Hockin, on a blind date in the spring of 1947. Twenty minutes after meeting her, John decided he wanted to marry her and, indeed, in January 1948, they were married and Jean embarked instead on a career in motherhood to four boys and three girls. Jean kept in touch with her beloved Trinity "4T6ers" and remained friends with classmates her entire life. In 1966, Jean and the family moved when John's career took them to Nova Scotia. Never wanting to be idle, when the kids were older, Jean went back to school at Acadia University, acquired her B.Ed., and taught science at what is now Kings-Edgehill School in Windsor. She then went on to receive her diploma in medical records and worked for 10 years at the former Camp Hill Hospital in Halifax. Jean loved the theatre and symphony and was a loyal parishioner of St. Mary Magdelene in Toronto and St. James Anglican Church in Halifax. She was a person of great faith. Her graceful spirit shone through everything she did; she inspired many and was admired by all who knew her. If in doubt, "do what Nana would do". She will be desperately missed by her children and their families, including grandchildren, Jeremy (Amy), Johnny (Nina), Mark (Nicola) Sarah (Ben), James, Christopher, Jessica (Graham); her great-grandson, Rhys and by her entire family - the Pritchards, Prouses, Browns, Hockins, Coopers and Collyers. The family wishes to thank daughter, Anne, who has been Jean's devoted caregiver and strongest advocate. Visitation in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive, Halifax, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, August 9. Celebration mass in St. James Church, Armdale Rotary, Halifax, Monday, August 10, at 3 p.m. Donations to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Condolences: Jean Hockin Family c/o www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.