Jean Marian Laing

Jean passed away on August 21, 2024, at the age of 90 years, after a brief stay in Kelowna General Hospital. Jean is survived by her husband James, son Robert (Kimberley) and daughter Barbara, grandchildren Liam, Rianna, Carleen, Spencer and Rylan. Jean is also survived by younger brothers Ted (Anita) of Red Deer, Alberta and Larry (Gladys) of Melfort, Saskatchewan. Jean was predeceased by parents Edna and Clarence Moorman, sister Evelyn Newall, and brothers Gerald, Jerry, Chuck, Clayton and Mel Moorman.

Jean was born on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, outside of the town of Pleasantdale, to parents Edna and Clarence Moorman. She was one of nine children, the fourth oldest of 7 boys and 2 girls. She left home at an early age to seek employment, and ended up with SaskTel.

Jean and husband Jim moved frequently throughout their marriage due to Jim’s RCMP service. The couple were initially posted to Ottawa, then Sault Ste. Marie, Moose Factory, Kirkland Lake, all in Ontario, then to Frobisher Bay, NWT and finally to Whitehorse, Yukon. Both enjoyed square dancing and curling throughout their various postings. Post retirement, Jim and Jean travelled south to California and Arizona where they enjoyed the company of friends over many winters.

Jean’s greatest joy was her grandchildren. She thoroughly enjoyed their company and personalities at all ages, and loved the camping trips and holidays with them when they were young. Memories were created which she cherished.

At Jeans request, there will be no funeral service, but the family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services ( Dignity Memorial ) Kelowna, BC

250-762-2299

James (husband):

I met Jean in the early summer of 1955 when I was new in Humboldt, just out of RCMP training.

Jean was working as a telephone operator at SaskTel on the early cordboards. Her fellow telephone operators set her up on a blind date with me. Something was right between us as we continued to date, fall in love and married September 25, 1957.

What was not to love about Jean - to me she was beautiful, good company and a pleasure to be around.

We were moved to Ontario when we got married, and just getting to Ontario was an adventure for both of us. Our son Robert was born in Ottawa and daughter Barbara was born in Sault Ste. Marie. We spent several years in parts of north central Ontario before going to Frobisher Bay and on to Whitehorse from there.

Jean was not one to sit home and knit and wherever there was a telephone office she worked there. She ended her career in Whitehorse as a supervisor for NorthWesTel.

When daughter Barbara married, Jean looked forward to being Grandma Jean. The bond and love that developed during the early years has grown stronger over time. She thoroughly loved her grandchildren.

Jean was a wonderful woman, the love of my life, my soul companion and a constant positive influence for all of my life. I am grateful for the years I had with her and look forward to being somewhere with her for all of eternity. Love Jim.

Barb (daughter):

It is so difficult without you Mom, but it is a mark of a life well lived and loved that you leave behind a family that is devastated by your passing. I miss you every day, but you are with me still, as I will keep you safe in my heart for always.

I was truly blessed to have such a loving and supportive individual as my mother. I know I wrote this every year in your birthday card, and I meant it sincerely. For a lady who was physically so slight, you were one of the strongest women I knew, in terms of will and determination. You showed your love for your family in so many ways.

Grandma Moorman was a shrewd and competitive card player who especially loved playing Canasta, and I know where you got the competitiveness from Mom, and who you passed it down to. It was a bit of a family joke after Grandma Moorman passed away that she should have been buried with a hidden in sevens. For you, Mom, it would have to be Wizards!

Rest in peace, Mom. I love you. If heaven has a kitchen, I know you are in there perfecting the recipes of the angels.

“Mother’s Garden

My mother kept a grade, a garden of the heart.

She planted all the good things that gave my life its start.

She turns me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream

Postering and nurturing the seeds of self esteem.

And when the winds & rains came, she protected me enough.

But not too much, she knew I’d need to stand up strong and tough.

Her constant good example always taught me right from wrong,

Markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long.

I am my mother’s garden,

I am her legacy

And I hope today

She feels the love reflected back from me.”

Author unknown

Robert (son):

Thank you, Jean, for the gift of life for myself, my two wonderful boys and really, for everything I have. Thank you for all the love and support we have had from you over the years. I hope that there is a heaven, because if there is, I know that you are in it.

Kimberley (daughter-in-law):

Jean, I always remember knocking on your front door in Whitehorse asking if Robert was home to go for a bike ride. It was the summer of 1990. I was young….younger than him. We tried to get a Yukon suntan in the hills above the house at 10 Tutshi. You teased if I was the paper girl. It was funny and I still laugh about that moment. We worked together at NorthwesTel and I respected your supervisory approach. Everyone has always held you in high regard. We never thought our lives would lead to a long relationship, but then Robert and I brought our families together with both our parents supporting us in every way…and then your second journey as grandparents with Spencer and Rylan. Who would think as young people we would follow your footsteps now 34 years later. Jean you have always been there with a listening ear, strength and determination, and leading the family quietly with Jim by your side. You always took care with putting together packages of baked goods and selecting birthday cards. The messages you wrote for my birthday and mother’s day made me realize the importance of acknowledging the role of mothers. You worked hard and gave so much. I always shed a tear when I read your words. You were traditional yet modern, meeting the needs at home and also developing your own role at NorthwesTel. I know that your marriage with Jim stands as a solid foundation for us and the boys. Jim loves you with his whole being. We will take care of him. You know that I hope. We love you both will all our heart. We know that you have had 10, 15, 20 lives. Rest and have peace on the other side. The boys have sent their messages to you. Focus and hold onto all the memories. Love with all our hearts.

Rianna Jean (granddaughter):

Like many, I was lucky enough to grow up with my grandparents as a large part of my life. As a child, I remember feeling the borderline uncontainable excitement when we’d pull into Logan Lake, or they’d pull into the alley behind my childhood home. Even our puppy, Mocha, shared that excitement - I swear he could sense them coming from a block away.

Getting older, that unconditional love and support never waivered. Grandma was always a pillar of strength; pair that with unwavering kindness, quiet sense of humour, and a competitive streak that apparently runs in the family, and you get the amazing human being that Grandma was.

While she may have been tiny, the hole she left behind when she left her earthly body was huge. I am forever grateful that I got thirty amazing years with her. She will be dearly missed, and I am honoured to have been named after such a wonderful lady.

Carleen (granddaughter):

Everyone that knew Grandma knew how amazing she was. She was kind, strong and generous, and radiated warmth in every action she took. I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with her and only wish there could have been more.

Most of my memories of Grandma are around a table playing cards. It isn’t hard to tell where we all get our competitive nature from, because Grandma certainly did not like to lose. Even as a little kid, Grandma did not hold back. Whether it was Wizard, Canasta or 2500s, she was always near the top of the scoreboard. I am grateful for the life lessons I got while playing cards with her and Grandpa, and their patience to teach me how to play.

My favourite memory of Grandma was in Logan Lake. She was showing me her pet rocks and the sweaters that she made for them. When I think back to that moment, I feel like it was the first time I got to see a part of her that made her Jean the person, and not just Jean my Grandma. She had such a fun and silly hobby which was so uniquely her. I only wish I had more time with Grandma to learn more of these things that made her, her.

Grandma was truly a special person and will be incredibly missed. May she rest in peace.

Spencer (grandson):

Jean always brought happiness, light and joy into the lives of everyone. Losing her was an absolute shock and tragedy. We had been together not long before in Kelowna for dinners, brunch and card games. I did not know that would be my last visit with her. I look back on my memories with fondness - Thanksgiving dinner here at our house in Surrey many years ago when I was little, and Christmas at Big White where both sides of our family were together are two of the most prominent for me. I also remember visiting their house in Logan Lake and taking trips to the park there. I remember playing card games there and when we visited in Summerwood. I wish I could have spent more time with her. She was truly a kind person who will be missed by all who knew her, especially me.

Love Spencer

Rylan (grandson):

Dear Jean, it’s Rylan. My first memory with you was you baking pies and cookies for me and Spencer. Raspberry used to be my favourite cookie but now it’s pumpkin. For pies, apple used to be my favourite, but now it’s pumpkin. I also remember riding my bike in the driveway in Logan Lake and camping. Me and my family also loved playing Wizard with you and Jim. You are a very kind and generous person because you always took the time to write birthdays cards and you always took the time to bake us treats and dinner. R.I.P., I hope you have a peaceful afterlife.

Love from Rylan