JANE MCLEOD (LOVE)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JANE MCLEOD (nee LOVE) Jane McLeod (nee Love) passed away March 25, 2010 at Vista Park Lodge Personal Care Home at the age of 94. She is survived by her two sons, Terry and Don, both of Winnipeg, granddaughter Leah of Nanaimo, two younger sisters, Vi Campbell of Winnipeg and Helen Currie (Art) of Kelowna, and several relatives on her own side of the family. She was predeceased by her husband Stan in 1990. Jane was born August 1, 1915 on the Love family farm near Oyen, AB, the fifth in a family of eight girls. She was known to family and friends as Jennie in her youth; then as Jen (or variations thereof) in her adult years. As a teenager, she succeeded one of her sisters as the senior telephone operator at the Oyen Telephone Office. Some time later, when she and her Mom were the only Love family members left in Oyen, it was decided they would make the move to Saskatoon to join two of her younger sisters who had gone there to attend business college. Her Oyen telephone experience allowed her to quickly obtain a position as a switchboard operator at Eaton's. That opportunity led to her meeting her future husband, Stan McLeod (a Manitoban), a match set up by a mutual friend at Eaton's. They married in Saskatoon February 28, 1942. When Stan enlisted for service in the R.C.A.F., Jen accompanied him through his Canadian-based training stops in Regina and Brandon, and upon his going overseas she relocated to Winnipeg to live with his mother and sister, staying with them for the duration of the war. Post-war, Stan and Jen settled in the newly developed V.L.A. community of Roblin Park in Charleswood which featured large one-acre lots and the bond of military service linking the residents. There they raised their family. Jen's sister Vi and husband Bob also located to the same neighbourhood, just a short walk away. Jen formed close friendships with other women in the community, mainly through her United Church membership and through activities such as curling and ceramics. When her sons were old enough to be left alone, Jen went to work part-time with Sears on the catalogue order board (telephones again). She enjoyed her work and again formed close relationships with her co-workers, some lasting beyond her years at Sears. She made two more moves with her husband within Winnipeg: first, in 1967, to Ash Street in River Heights (much smaller lot to maintain) and then, in 1985, to a mature adult block in St. Vital to escape the demands of home ownership altogether and to better enjoy the retirement years. Her sister Vi moved to the same block at about the same time. This enabled them to keep in close contact, and for Vi to help out as the years went past. In the 1970s, brother-in-law Art Currie was instrumental in acquiring trailers in a resort-style trailer park at Mesa, AZ for both Jen and Stan and sister Vi. This allowed them to annually escape Winnipeg winters and to reconnect with family and make new friends in a warm, relaxing environment. In 1997, when in her 80s, she made airplane trips to Regina on two occasions (the first a false alarm ) to be at the bedside of her gravely ill youngest sister Ruth with whom she shared a strong bond. Needing to be there for Ruth's death took a toll on her health, but with her sons' help she was able to receive the necessary medical attention to rebound. As time passed, Jen lost the ability to function totally on her own and was forced to use a walker and to accept the assistance provided by Home Care to take her medications, do laundry and light housework and prepare breakfast and lunch. Eventually, following a series of widely spaced falls and two hospitalizations, she was persuaded to sign an application for admission to a Personal Care Home. In her later years, Jen became more protective of her independence, sometimes to the exasperation of those trying to help her. It required patience and persistence to get her to accept a solution other than her own. Those that were able to do so earned her trust. A special thank you to Sandra Trinkies (Home-Care), Erin (formerly at Vista) and Darlene for their patience, understanding and special care relating to Jen's Personal Care Home experience. Thank you to all the staff at Vista Park for their excellent care and dedication. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. Flowers gratefully declined, donations in Jen's memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Chapel Lawn 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 30, 2010