Jean Eva Deal

Jean is survived by her Loving husband of 58 years, Jack and their children Judy (Eugene), Jim (Tammy) and Joey (Sophia) and her grandchildren, Charity, Karrie (Ryan), Kalandra, Mercedes (Simon), Zachary (Shea), Jonathan, and her two great-grandsons Jackson & Kameron. She will be sadly missed by her two beloved sisters, Margaret Goodwill, Barbara (Bob) Short, brother Keith McClarty and fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

Jean caught Jack's eye while she was standing on a street in Toronto, with her friends. She must have made an impression on him because he stopped his car and asked her: “wanna go for a ride?” So she did, sitting in the front seat of his 1950 black Pontiac, off they went to Sunnyside Beach and the romance began! Jean was such a distraction to Jack that the following week, while they were on their way to Niagara Falls, he smashed up the car! Their life together was quite the adventure, always on the move …even living in Arizona & spending one winter in Alaska!

Their lives changed for the better when at work, Jack’s foreman (Norm Joy) started to talk to him about the Bible. Jack was so impressed by the stand Jehovah’s Witnesses took regarding the war & neutrality that he, along with Jean, began to study. They dedicated their lives and were baptized on July 21, 1956. Now added to their family were spiritual brothers and sisters, many of whom have been lifelong friends, having a positive influence in their spiritual development throughout the years. They both spent many hours telling others about Jehovah’s promises, pioneering together and continued even after their children came along…summer travels always included attending large conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses as a family.

There are many fond memories of Jean’s faithful service. A special one is of her as a new mother doing street witnessing while pushing her big 4-wheel pram in downtown Toronto. She was a loving mother who took her children everywhere with her; she filled her children’s school holidays with endless adventures, including memorable trips to Woolworth’s for orange crush & french fries. As her children grew, she was always there for them, helping them grow spiritually and never failing to support them in their ministry. She was well known for her loving hospitality, her butter tarts & fun card games…their home became a hub of activity for travelling overseers, bethelites, and young ones. Friends were always welcomed…their second home was “The Deal’s”.

Jack and Jean helped many over the years to come to know and love Jehovah. Even as her health deteriorated, her love for Jehovah never diminished and she continued to teach others about him. She remained a faithful servant of Jehovah right up to her death. She believed in the Bible`s hope of a resurrection, assuring family and grandchildren as she spoke to them from her bed that she would see them again in paradise as a young girl. What a wonderful, encouraging gift she gave us during her last moments, always a loving wife and devoted mother. Funeral service to be held on Saturday December 13, 2014 at 2pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness, 172 Anglesea Street, Goderich, Ontario

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Watchtower PO Box 4100 Georgetown, Ontario L7G 4Y4 or to the Canadian Cancer Society 108 Aharens Street West, unit 4, Kitchener, Ontario N2H 4C3 would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Needham Funeral Service, London, Ontario