Mrs. Jessie Edith Ellis

      Mrs. Jessie Edith Ellis was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed her to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, she possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. She had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and she was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Jessie always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Jessie was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

      Jessie was born on January 4, 1911 at home in Cottam (Tilbury West), Ontario. Her parents were Will and Jane Bartlett. Jessie was raised in in Windsor since age 4. Always able to express herself well, Jessie possessed strong interpersonal skills. She was optimistic in her outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in her communication. Armed with a great wit, Jessie was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

      Blessed with a balanced attitude, Jessie was able to relate well with others. Her occasional role as family mediator gave her the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Jessie was raised with 6 siblings. She had brothers William, Albert and Ralph and sisters Jen and Vera. Jessie had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

      Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Jessie was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. Her curious nature was spurred by her ability to maximize her personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. She was good with facts and had an excellent memory. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

      Friends and acquaintances found Jessie an easy woman to get to know, and those close to her would often praise her open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Jessie was uncomplicated and straightforward in her relationships, which allowed her to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of her best friends were Jean Lamers, Fran Martin and Ruth Byrns.

      On June 29, 1935 Jessie exchanged wedding vows with Donald Thomas Ellis officiated by a Justice of the Peace in Windsor, Ontario. Jessie was attentive to Donald's feelings, and she charmed Donald and others with her gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Jessie was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

      Very much like a kid herself, Jessie identified with the inquisitive and creative side of her children’s personalities. She was able to direct her energy and spontaneity towards helping her children acquire added common sense skills. Jessie was blessed with one child, daughter Vera. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, David, Paul and Nancy.

      Jessie was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around her. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Jessie’s strengths included being able to think on her feet. She could be a leader who sought impact for her decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Jessie was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. She was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Jessie could multi-task, and she was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing her to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in her work environment. Her primary occupation was a bookeeper. She was employed for Bell Telephone.

      Jessie enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. She had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that she did. She put this creativity toward all of her pastimes. Her favorite pursuits were music, art, painting, playing the organ, bridge, golf and badminton. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

      Because she liked to take risks, Jessie was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. She was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Recreational sports included golf and badminton. Jessie was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity.

      Jessie was a generous woman who prized that same quality in others. So it’s little wonder that she was so active and giving in her community. Jessie was a member of several community groups, including Past President of the Kinette Club and a member of Kingsville Golf and Country Club.

      Jessie held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to her. She was a member of Lincoln Road United Church and Paulin Memorial Presbyterian Church.

      Travel and vacations were experiences that Jessie truly enjoyed. She preferred to seek out excitement wherever she went and she was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” She was willing to leave her plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included Florida, California, Hawaii, Las Vegas and travelling in general.

      When Jessie’s retirement finally came in the 1950's, she was well prepared. She used logical analysis of her retirement options in order to ensure her retirement would be fulfilling. Still, she was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. Her new life involved relocating to Windsor and Florida. In retirement, she found new pleasure in music, art, painting, playing the organ, bridge, golf and badminton.

      Jessie passed away on January 11, 2008 at Metropolitan Hospital, Windsor, Ontario of Heart Failure. She is survived by daughter Vera, grandchildren Nancy & Andrew, David & Barb, Paul, great grandchildren Matthew & Carolyn, Jessica, Chrissy and great great grandson Dexter. Services were held at the Walter D. Kelly Funeral Home and Cremation Centre. Jessie was laid to rest in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

      Jessie was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, she relied on her senses to increase her involvement and awareness of others. She was always able to provide amusing repartee to her friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Jessie had a theme song written about her, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” She enjoyed her life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Mrs. Jessie Edith Ellis.