Jeanne "Jan" Angela Gyorfi

Jan was born and raised in Harrow, England. During World War Two, Jan and her brother, Vic, were evacuated to a seaside town to the home of a Vicar and his family. At the end of the war, Jan returned to their family home and finished her education at the art school.

Before Jan left England, she was selected to dance before the King & Queen for the November 1947 Royal Command Performance at the London Palladium, something of which Jan was extremely proud of to her end.

Jan then travelled to Belgium with the world famous Bluebell Girls Dance Troupe, where she met her husband, Alexander. Jan and Alex were married in September 1949, in Brussels. They immigrated to Cape Breton in March 1952, where he was a doctor of pathology, and together they raised six children. They were married for 61 years until his passing in December 2010.

Jan focused primarily on being at home to raise her children. She loved gardening and had a talent and passion for painting and portraiture. For many years, Jan was active in her Rotary Club Fashion shows. Jan was quite well known, locally and provincially, for her portraits. Over the years, Jan held a number of art exhibitions both on mainland Nova Scotia and on Cape Breton Island. Jan was a member of the Canadian Portrait Society. She and Alex enjoyed the outdoors and travelled the world together on their retirement.

Following the passing of Alex (Dec 2010), Jan remained at home, enjoying a quiet lifestyle under the care of Rick & Debra and the household pets, especially her cat Moe, until recently where she made the move to Harbourstone Enhance Care in Sydney.

Jan was a featured artist in 2014, for PierScape and at CBU, where her portraits are held in the Cape Breton University Art Gallery Collection. Jan continued painting as long as she was able to, and held a few more exhibits up until the pandemic.

Jan is survived by her daughter, Patricia, Calgary; sons, Rick (Debra), Howie Center, Steve (Wendy), Lake Ainslie, Craig, Lake Ainslie, and Dennis, Lake Ainslie, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Alexander (Alex), brother, Victor (2017), sister-in-law, Jean (2023), son, Peter (2022) and grandson, Terence (1993).

Special thanks to the staff & nurses at Harbourstone Enhance Care for the excellent care mum received.

As per Mum’s wishes, cremation has taken place under the care of TW Curry Parkview Chapel, Sydney N.S., and there will be a private family visitation. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. A private interment will be at Resurrection Community cemetery at a later date as well.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting twcurry.com.

"Just remember to hold all of your precious memories near in your heart. God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, nor sun without rain but he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way."