JEAN FORTUNE

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JEAN FORTUNE

August 19, 1932 - January 24, 2025

Our mum didn’t live with the glass half full or half empty. She lived with the glass full. Mum had a kind and gentle spirit and would be the first to offer to help or to go on an adventure. Even as her world got smaller, she said she wasn’t ready to go. There was always something she was busy doing and didn’t want to miss out on what might happen.

With us holding her hand, the time came that she had to say goodbye and on January 24, 2025, we had to let her go.

Mum always made friends wherever she went. This probably started at an early age. She was born in 1932 to Bill and Minnie Ingram. The oldest of four daughters. Her Dad, a school teacher, taught at schools thru out Manitoba. This led to her making new friends and becoming part of her new community. After finishing high school, she completed a business course in Winnipeg. Her new career brought her to the hospital in Hamiota where she worked as a receptionist for the doctors. Not long afterwards she met the love of her life, Arnold Fortune and soon the “city” girl made her way to a new life on the farm making it her new home and joining in community life. Farm life could prove a little lonely with Dad working long hours, so this led to another lifelong trait, hobbies. Hobbies got put on hold for a while as the kids arrived, Diane, Brent, Mark and Rae filled the house up in 5 short years. Life revolved around the kids and community. Mum was part of the UCW, WI, church choir, rink committees, Hospital Auxiliary and with any project that need her help.

Mum also enjoyed working outside the busy home at the doctor’s office in Strathclair and at J’s Sewing Center. This changed when she started her own home business, Jean’s Ceramics. Mum was in her element, with more than 50 ladies coming every week. Mum also loved singing and joined the Strathclair Drama club for many fun and fulfilling productions.

Over the years new family arrived with son and daughter in-laws and then the best, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Salt Lake was mums happy place where it was just family and friend time with hours of visiting and playing games. Mum loved to travel. Trips to Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa and Disneyland were the start and then far and beyond. England, Scotland, the Maritimes, Australia, New Zealand, New York, numerous road trips thru out the States and even tried her luck in Las Vegas. A big change happened when she convinced Dad that wintering in Texas would be a great idea. They spent many years of being part of an amazing group of friends every winter. Mum and Dad had 68 wonderful years together before his passing in 2020. Family and friends were big part of mum’s world. Up to the last few weeks there was always a list of names by her phone that she would have to call to check in with her friends to see how they were doing.

So, with heavy hearts, Diane and Gord Peters with Nick, London and Carman, Brent Fortune, Mark and Lynn Fortune, Rae and Andrea Fortune with Alycia and Kyle, Wyatt and Kira Chuckrey, and Krissi and Chris, Payten Malchuk, would like to thank all the people in Mum’s life that made it so special for her. This kind and amazing woman made life a little brighter for so many of us.

For those so desiring, donations may be made to the Cardale United Church Memorial Fund, Box 86, Cardale R0K 0J0, or the Hamiota District Health Center foundation, Box 671, Hamiota, R0M 0T0.

A celebration of mum’s life will be held at a later date.

www.campbellfuneralhome.ca

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 08, 2025