Jean P Webber

Born July 10, 1919 in Medicine Hat, Alberta; died in Kelowna, on April 17, 2012. Devoted wife of Bernard, her husband of almost 60 years who died in 2000, and beloved mother of Rosemary Spendlove (David) of Ottawa; Philip Webber (Miriam) of Vancouver; Elizabeth Daley (Andrew) of Kelowna; Christopher Webber (Marie) of Ottawa; Jeremy Webber (Carolyn) of Victoria. She is also survived by her 9 loving grandchildren Norm, Paul, Shoshanah, Alison, Nigel, Ben, Mike, Katie and Megan, and by 10 great-grandchildren. Pre-deceased by brother Hugh Browne and sister Elaine Dickson. Jean will be missed by her family, both immediate and extended, and by her many friends.

Jean's life has been shaped by her lifelong involvement in education; her work in the community in support of the arts and the Okanagan Historical Society; and her deep commitment to family and church. Jean was an accomplished gardener and painter with a great attachment to the landscape of the Okanagan.

After graduating from high school in Nelson, Jean attended the Provincial Normal School in Victoria, where she met Bernard. Following graduation she was hired to teach rural classrooms, first in Renata on the Arrow Lakes and then in Okanagan Centre. Jean and Bernard were married on July 1, 1941 in the Coldstream. Later that same year Bernard was elected to the BC Legislature as the MLA for Similkameen from 1941-45. Jean was very much his partner in campaign and constituency work. After several moves and the birth of a number of their children, Jean returned to teaching, first at Koksilah on Vancouver Island in 1952-53, and then at the Provincial Model School in Vancouver. She earned Bachelor and Master degrees in English at UBC in the 1950s and 1960s. She taught at the Vernon Centre of the new Okanagan College in the late 1960s and high school in Kitimat in 1974-75. She was involved in voluntary educational activities in every community in which they lived.

For several years, Jean was secretary of the Vernon Community Arts Council. As part of its work, the council would receive applications from local artists and organizations and distribute provincial arts funding in the community. When the Okanagan Mainline Regional Arts Council was created in the early 1970's, Jean became its first elected president. The first goal of this regional council was to create a regional arts festival. Later Jean was also part of the planning committee for the Arts B.C. Conference in 1974.

Jean's contributions to BC history include serving on the executive of the Okanagan Historical Society; serving as Editor of the Report of the Society for six years; researching and writing many articles in the Report and BC Historical News; co-editing with the En'owkin Centre Okanagan Sources, a source book on Okanagan First Nations history; and editing and compiling the book A Rich and Fruitful Land, a history of the Okanagan, Similkameen and Shuswap valleys. In recognition of this voluntary work, the Okanagan Historical Society nominated her for the Order of BC.

Family life was always central to Jean's life. A sense of family extended to those in need in her communities and to church. She served the Christian Science church in many capacities, pursuing her own spiritual journey and assisting others in pursuing theirs in an ecumenical spirit.

A service will be held on the July 1st weekend. Details to be given closer to that time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Okanagan Historical Society, the Okanagan School of the Arts, or an active arts organization in your community. Arrangements entrusted to First Memorial Funeral Serices, Kelowna, BC ph:250-762-2299