JEAN JESSIE BAXTER (PIPER)

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JEAN JESSIE BAXTER (nee PIPER) It is with sadness we announce the passing of Jean on Saturday, December 25, 2010 at Victoria General Hospital at the age of 87 years. Remaining to forever cherish Jean's memory are her two daughters, Sandra Pieri (Cliff), Catherine Aitken (John); grandchildren, John Pieri (Susan), Jennifer Marr (Hue); four great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Betty Baxter of Port Hope, Ontario. She was predeceased by her husband Earl Edwin in 2007, and as the last member of a prominent pioneering family in Fort William, she was predeceased by parents, William Samuel and Jessie Piper; brothers, Thomas, William; and sister Grace. Jean was born August 18, 1923 in Fort William, Ontario. She attended Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario where she received her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in French, Spanish and German. While there, Jean met Earl and they were married in 1946. After a brief time in Ottawa, they returned to Fort William where their two daughters were born. They were transferred to Winnipeg in 1951. Jean was involved in community activities throughout her life. She was also a longstanding member of the University Women's Club of Winnipeg and enjoyed her friendships with the members of the Thursday afternoon group. She loved her family, cherishing the times spent together. Jean was always interested in her daughters' and their families. She particularly enjoyed being part of the activities of, first, her grandchildren, Jennifer and John, and then her great-grandchildren. She could always be counted upon to attend music recitals, band concerts, soccer games, scouting and guide activities. At her request, a family graveside service will be held at a later date at her family plot in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks for the gentle care, compassion and support given by the staff at 3 South Victoria Hospital. We would especially like to thank her nurses, Alla and Donna. If friends so desire, donations in Jean's memory may be made to the Salvation Army, 204-290 Vaughan St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2N8. I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says; There, she is gone! Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, There, she is gone! There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout; Here she comes!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2011