JEAN CLARISSA MACLEAN

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JEAN CLARISSA MACLEAN Born on July 12, 1923, at Mrs. Lil's Nursing Home in Winnipeg, Jean Clarissa MacLean (nee Stevenson) passed peacefully from this life into the arms of her God on July 10, 2007, two days shy of her 84th birthday. Jean was predeceased by an infant sister Shirley Eleanor in 1931; her parents, Ruth Stevenson (nee McMillan) in 1966 and Robert Lance Stevenson in 1973, and her beloved husband Donald Hector MacLean in 2000. She is survived by her three sons, Robert (of St. Amant's Centre in Winnipeg), Glen (wife Rhea Prairie) of Beausejour, Roy (wife Lynda) of Morden, and her two precious grand-daughters, Lauren and Amy-Jean of Morden. Jean also leaves her Laotian family, Bounkamp, Phouvianne and Kamkong Homthavong and their children, whom she and dad helped to come to Canada in the 1970s. Jean's childhood was spent in Lac du Bonnet and Norway House, after which she moved to Winnipeg to continue her education. She finished her high school at Winnipeg College and went on to get her bachelor's degree in Science at the University of Winnipeg in 1944. Jean went on to add a degree in Social Work in 1945, and followed that up with her Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1972. Jean held two different jobs outside her full-time role as mother and homemaker. She was a social worker with the Winnipeg Children's Aid Society in the 1940s and 1950s, and she was a high school teacher in the 1960s and 1970s. Jean was a devout Christian and a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Jean lived out her Christian faith daily in her generosity to others. She would spend hours making quilts and baby layettes to donate anonymously to various help organizations in Beausejour area and Winnipeg. Jean made hundreds of jars of jam and donated food from her gardens to the food bank. She faced her share of trials throughout her life, but her faith, love and determination carried her through and as she neared the end of her time here, she was always thankful for the life she had lived and the gifts she had been given. Jean was a mentor to her daughter-in-law and granddaughters in the way she encouraged women to be educated, put her family first, and consistently turned to God in prayer to overcome any obstacle. She was especially grateful for the community of friends she shared at St. Paul's United Church in Beausejour, where she was one of the many energizing spirits there for the past 47 years. Jean dearly loved her work with the U.C.W. women. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful East Gate Lodge staff involved with Mom's care for their faithful efforts over her six years there. Additionally, we would like to thank the dedicated doctors and nurses of the Beausejour and District Hospital for their contributions to her health and well-being since her first stroke in 2001. In accordance with her wishes, Jean's body has been donated to the University of Manitoba School of Medicine. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held Saturday, July 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's United Church, Beausejour, with Reverend John Robertson presiding. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends wish, donations may be made in Jean's memory to any of the following organizations: St. Amant Centre, 440 River Road, Winnipeg; St. Paul's United Church Memorial Fund, Beausejour; East Gate Lodge Memorial Fund, Beausejour. RUSSELL'S of Beausejour, Manitoba are in care of arrangements. Call 1-866-424-6271 toll free or 268-2263.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 13, 2007