JEAN ELIZABETH DOOLAN

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JEAN ELIZABETH DOOLAN On Tuesday, June 13, 2006, Jean Elizabeth Doolan slipped peacefully into the arms of her maker. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank, in 1984. Jean was born on July 3, 1924 to her mother Lillian Craven and father, Raphael Underhill in Vancouver, BC. She enjoyed a rich family life with her brother John and many cousins, aunties, uncles and grandma. Jean served during the Second World War as a medical stenographer with the Royal Canadian Air Force with postings in Ottawa, Fort McLeod and Winnipeg. She met her husband Frank Doolan through their family church in North Vancouver. They were married on October 27, 1948. Their shared spirit of adventure took them to Whitehorse, Yukon, Flin Flon, MB, Fort Garry, Winnipeg, St. John's Cathedral Boys' School, north of Selkirk, MB, back to Fort Rouge in Winnipeg, and finally to a 22 acre piece of land in East Selkirk, lovingly known as The Farm. Jean served in various capacities during her working career including homemaker, medical stenographer for the Winnipeg Clinic, Church Secretary for St. Michael's and All Angels Anglican Church in Winnipeg and the front desk of the Canada Employment office in Selkirk. Jean and Frank raised a large family of seven children. Jean was everything a child could hope for in a mother and grandmother. She was never too busy to listen to our stories, to comfort, and to rejoice with us. She and our father instilled in all of us a compassion for people and a great love of music. She extended an open invitation every week to Sunday dinners (often without knowing how many mouths she would be feeding). Nana was famous for roast beef dinners with Yorkshire pudding, and none of us could make it out the door without taking home a bagful of fresh Nana buns baked especially for us. More than anything else, Jean was devoted to her faith. Throughout her lifetime she was an active member of the Anglican Church. She studied and served in healing ministries and was a long time active member of St. Clement Mapleton Anglican Church in St. Andrew's, MB. In later years, she suffered impairment of mobility and speech as a result of a brain tumor and stroke. Her kindness and gentleness continued to shine through, in spite of her diminished state and she remained positive and supportive, appreciating every little thing that was done for her. Jean touched the lives of all who came in contact with her. There is no doubt that we will miss our mom, our friend and our Nana, but we rejoice that her struggle is over and that she has gone to her heavenly home. Jean is survived by her brother John Underhill (Jackie); children, Joy Vaal (Alan), Jill Doolan (Urs), Pat Felletti (Frank), Michael (Triena), Maureen Dolyniuk (Bob), David (Lorna), Paul (Shayna); grandchildren, Davey, Megan, Patty-Jean (René), Kerry (Bruce), Michael, Olivia (Jonathan), Gregory (Emily) Aaron, Mark (Britt), Sarah, Katie, Teresa, Dale, Mike; and great-grandchildren, Kendall, Cole, Chloe, Selah, Maritza and Hartley. A prayer service will take place at St. Clement Mapleton Anglican Church, 1178 River Road, St. Andrew's, MB, on Thursday June 15 at 6:30 p.m. This will be followed by a celebration of Jean's life on Friday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m. at the same location. We would like to thank The Venerable Godfrey Mawejje and the staff of Red River Place where she resided, for their care and compassion. We would also like to thank, Dr. Lindenschmidt and the nursing staff and the Palliative Care Unit of the Selkirk General Hospital for their support and for providing us with quiet, respectful place to be with our Mom and Nana in her final days. We laughed, we sang, we prayed and we rejoiced in the legacy that she has left behind in all of us. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Clement Mapleton Anglican Church, 1178 St. Andrews, MB R1A 4A1 or the Palliative Care Unit of Selkirk General Hospital, Box 5000, 100 Easton Drive, Selkirk, MB R1A 2M2.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 15, 2006