Dear Nana,

You were a beautiful soul Nana.  Kind, witty, and strong.

Most of my memories with you were from when I was much younger.  Summer visits to yours and Papa’s home in Eagle Bay with the family.  Too many amazing memories to write…pies, card games, riding in the red truck, stories.  In particular, thank you for putting up with my Jim Carrey Ace Ventura impersonations as a young child.  You had no idea where they were from but I remember the laughter from you which always makes me smile.

Nana, there are too many thoughts and memories to put in one note but I would like to mention one more that is extremely important.  Thank you for paying for me to do piano lessons as a young child.  I didn’t think about it as much back then but this was a huge building block for the rest of my life with music and life for that matter.  It taught me to focus, work hard, and be creative.  I love the story of the family piano in birdhouse, and it will always be one of my favourite pianos of all time.

You are deeply missed Nana, but are not forgotten.  Rest easy Nana.

Love Scott

There are so many great memories of Nana.  Too many to get down in a note.  Mostly because a great deal of my thoughts of Nana are about a feeling.  My strongest memory of Nana was of her spirit.  She, much like my Mother, was strong yet tender, graceful and thoughtful.  She was someone who I felt would always be there grounding me, tethering me to this Earth.  I never seemed to worry about her, since I felt she  had it all figured out.  She had an awareness, insight and understanding of life.  She will always be there for me and with me.  

When I think of Nana I also think of her interest and ability to be creative. Her creativity was another part of her spirit which sits with me and inspires my conscious and subconscious when I'm being creative.  Her individual delight in creativity as well as her unconditional love allowed me to think without judgement or borders.  

Most of my time spent with Nana was as a child and though seeing her in my early adult years was limited, that childhood connection is what has continued to hold me anchored to her spirit. Much like the stars in our Universe, we don't always see them, but we know they are there. 
I love you Nana

Dear Nanners, 

I have so many fond memories of time spent with you, it's hard to choose which ones to mention. Most of which come to mind are up in Eagle Bay. Yours and Papa's house was always full of fun - tailgate rides in the back of the red truck down to the lake, watching Sister-Act, eating your legendary pies every night, looking at all the trinkets in the downstairs room where we slept, card games, the garden.

I will forever be  grateful for your support of me learning to play piano, and my continued lessons for which you paid for. I love reading the story and history of how the piano came to live at the Bird house. 

Thinking back to how you hand-made Christmas decorations for all of our classmates, every year (!) for so many years, is nothing short of incredible. You had a loving hand in so many happy memories. 

I will miss your witty remarks, your incredible memory, your dry humour ("pain and boredom make me crabby as a bag of cats"), and your calm and easy-going manner. Even if we didn't see you as often as well liked, we always knew we were loved and cherished by you, and what more is life about than love?  Know that we all love you so much. Rest peacefully, Nanners.

Renee (or Mrs. Hester when I first met her) was my Kindergarten teacher. I remember a quiet, calm and kind woman who managed to keep 20 or so little ones in line with seemingly very little trouble. All this was done wearing dresses and heels everyday. One of my favorite memories of her i wasn't even a witness to but was told about after the fact When Penny and I were about 15 or 16 years old our mothers had a phone conversation about us. I guess we needed permission for some kind of outing or adventure, I don't remember. The best part of the conversation though was that through the mutual agreement of our mothers, it was decided that as long as Penny and I  stuck together we were unlikely to get in much trouble.  Well, we've been "sticking together" for over sixty years now so I guess they were right. Two wise ladies.

Dear Nana,

Thank you for everything you did for me and everyone in our family, always.  Your endless support always gave us strength.  I am truly grateful for all the great times we shared, and I hold those memories close.  

You are dearly missed, but forever in our hearts.

Love,

Randy (Deedles)

Please accept our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother.  Our family was fortunate to be introduced to Jeannie through our wonderful neighbours, Jim & Joan and their children (John, Kelly and Rachel).  Her children, and grandchildren  were noticeably important to Jeannie as demonstrated through frequent visits to Olive Street throughout the years.  Jeannie had the ability to embrace all those around her and included our children in her beautifully made Christmas ordainments which are cherished. 
Jeannie will always hold a special place in your hearts along with your many happy memories.  Take care of yourselves and embrace those around you.
Robert, Deborah, Deanna & Chelsea Reid

So many fond memories of time spent at the Hester house. Mrs. H was always there with a big smile and making us feel welcome always! 

Sending strength to you all.....RIck and Bernadette Pimlott

My Aunty Renee is the last of the 4 sisters in my mother's family to leave us. I have a lifetime of memories of her whether in North Vancouver, Eagle Bay or as far back as my childhood days in Prince Rupert. Over the years I loved spending time with her whenever I could. When I got my Driver's  Licence  I often made a quick trip over to North Vancouver to see her & whoever else was home at the time. I too often got a piece of her wonderful pies!  She was a constant much-loved presence in my life and I will always cherish her memory.
My deepest sympathy to Uncle Norman, my cousins Lynda, Jim and Penny.....also her grandchildren Conrad, Cary, Randy Jacqui, Tracy, Scott, John, Rachel and Kelly and their children.

In loving memory,
Anne

Awww nana….I’m thinking of you so much right now 💜…such an amazing person. While I was watering my garden tonight I was reflecting on your garden at Shuswap lake and how much it impacted my love for gardening.  I will never forget the memories we made as a family during our visits there! Tending to the garden, eating food from it, riding in papa’s truck down to the lake,  choosing which homemade pies we would eat in the sun room together after dinner, Sister Act, mints, playing games together, riding the lawn mower…the list goes on.  I also remember your visits to our family home in North Vancouver.  It was always so special and usually involved bunwiches, a rare and exciting take out meal, and looking forward to sharing all the things that I had been up to. Thank you for all the efforts you made to support my journey through school and extra curricular activities. I still can’t believe how many years you made homemade Christmas ornaments for each student in your grandchildren’s classes. Thank you for demonstrating how to be a “solid” person. What exactly I mean when I say that is hard to explain, but you were such a consistent, level headed, and calm person. My mom takes after you🥰 🙂. Love you nanners…xoxoxo Tracy

Logan returning Nana’s special bear made from her sister’s fur jacket. 
June 17, 2024.

Nana was so sweet, kind, and interested in our lives. She always remembered what we were doing last time she saw us and wanted an update, whether it was school, sports, travels, friends, significant others, or great grandkids. Her dry wit was sharp, but always kind. 

Some of my favourite memories are visiting her and Poppa in Eagle Bay with all my cousins. Can you imagine eight grandkids wired on summer holidays under one roof? Chaos. She was patient with all our shenanigans and fed us the best pies. Apple pie is my favourite and she made sure there was enough for seconds. And thirds!

Nana found the time when we were in elementary school to make our entire class a unique Christmas tree decoration. All her grandkids classes! 200ish kids! Mine are still hung every year on our tree and are cherished as they remind me of her. 

I miss her and hold her memory close. 

Love John, Rhianon, Grady, and Logan

My memories of Mrs. H are of a very kind, gentle, woman.  I can still see her standing in the kitchen in their North Vancouver home in her quilted dressing gown.  This particular type of dressing gown came to be known over the years as the Mrs. H .  She used to make the best pies ever and they were always served at their back yard BBQ’s  where we always felt welcome.  Rest in Peace Mrs. H.

With Fondness from Mike and Maddy Xx

Nana! You sweet little lady. I love thinking of you and remembering our family time up in Eagle Bay. You with your full purple tracksuit which was great because us girls could always hear you coming (swish-swish!) when we were downstairs playing. Eagle Bay was crib, swimming, Snake, grasshoppers, stories, laughter, and pies. 

You were one hell of a storyteller Nan. From a child to an adult, you always captured my imagination and could make me laugh until it hurt. 

We are all so lucky to have had you in our lives and to have been loved by you. You are loved, you are missed, and we will remember you. 

Much love, 
Kelle Belle xoxo

Nana, you were the best storyteller. I would sit with you at the table with tea and a cookie and you’d tell me so much family history through your lively commentary. Thank you for always keeping us on our toes and for allowing K, J, T, and I to play with the cabbage patch dolls as kids. Love you Nan, Roosie

Jeannette’s dry wit was also evident while writing for the Shuswap Market News.  During that time, she wrote an article about our dog, Buster.  She met Buster on a number of occasions, liked him a lot and was motivated, for some reason, to write about him.  She joined an esteemed minority of people who felt an attachment for that big old dog and thus, was responsible for his "15 minutes of fame"!
People with good hearts seem to be able to find the good, even in old dogs.
Thank you, Jeannette, rest in happiness.
Steve, Myla & Jacob Frankel and of course Buster

Many great memories of your mon at the house in  North Vancouver and at the pre school.   Always happy.   All of our thoughts and condolences to all the family.  John and Cheryl Blain

Dear Penny and Family,

So sorry for your loss.

Sent with love and remembrance of your loved one.

Tibby and Peter

OBITUARY

Jeannette Kathryn Hester

January 13, 1931 – July 5, 2024

First Memorial Funeral Services

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders