Jean Vivian McNaughton

Jean McNaughton passed away peacefully on March 9th, 2025. She crossed over in the morning with spring in the air; the surrounding cherry trees blooming with white and pink blossoms, always her favourite colours to wear.

Jean will be dearly missed by her children Steve (Nancy), Brent, Leanne (Lorne), Wayne (Leanne), her sisters Ivy and Darlene, and her grandchildren Kyle (Michelle), Michelle (John), Natalia, Adam (Carole), Kelsea (Liam), and Grace.

Jean longed to be a great grandmother and her wish came true. In the past year and a half three great grandchildren were born, Johnny (Michelle and John), Maeve (Kelsea and Liam), and Riley (Adam and Carole). This past summer she also met Leilani (Kyle and Michelle), her great granddaughter who lives in Ireland.

Jean was born in 1937 in Alberta to Elsie and Everett. Jean has two sisters, Ivy and Darlene. They moved from the Alberta farm to Haney, British Columbia in 1952. She loved her new life on the coast. In 1959 she married Lorne McNaughton. They raised their four children in Coquitlam. In later years they moved to Parksville to retire.

Jean was a morning person who loved to get up early and get busy with the day’s tasks. She always had something growing whether in rows outside or in pots. She was in tune with the seasons and worked hard maintaining her home and garden. Her cupboards and freezers would be filled with canned delights she made from homegrown raspberries and fruit from her trees. She had a sharp mind, and was often one step ahead in many things. She was an avid sports fan and loved watching curling, baseball and hockey games. The door was always open to family and friends and tea and baked goods were ready for anyone stopping by.

Family was everything to Jean. She loved to keep in touch and to share in what was going on in everyone's lives. If you wanted to know how anyone was doing she would be the one to ask! She loved her family very much and wanted to be of support in any way she could. She also loved having her grandchildren over to visit. They all have fond memories spent with her in the garden picking berries and hydrangeas, making jam, helping her make big waffle breakfasts, baking cookies, trips to the beach, dancing, doing puzzles, having meaningful chats, and playing cribbage and card games. She made a warm and loving home that was an extension of her heart and that felt like the safest place to be. She was not only caring to her grandchildren, but also to her grandpuppies. She was attentive and loving and they brought her so much joy.

Jean often mentioned how much her faith in God helped her get through things. Her faith helped her see things from a different perspective and this also helped her accept that some things were out of her hands. She would often use the phrase ‘what will be will be’ and really believed in seizing the day and that God has a plan.

Jean had an amazing network of friends. From the Old Time Fiddlers, to her bible study group, her coffee group, her church community, the Mara Lake clan, and childhood friends that she kept in touch with. She befriended neighbours wherever she lived, and many became lifelong friends. She really made an effort to keep in touch. Jean moved to Stanford Assisted Living in recent years and there she made new friends. We are thankful to the staff at Stanford for their care and assistance during her time there.

The family witnessed her strength and courage when fighting battles with her health. She tackled difficult things with a lot of determination and positivity. She really believed in seeing everyday as a gift. In her words, “yesterday is history, and tomorrow is a mystery… live, love, laugh, and be happy.”

Jean was someone who touched many hearts. She lives on in ours and will always be loved, remembered and treasured.