JANE ALLYN ROSS-REYMAN (KRAUSE) (FARRELL)

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JANE ALLYN ROSS-REYMAN (KRAUSE) (nee FARRELL) July 9, 1930 January 6, 2011 Our mom lived well, laughed often, and loved us immensely. Peacefully, with loving family members by her side, Frank Sinatra playing in the background and the taste of her favourite sherry on her lips, mom passed away in the early morning of January 6th. Mom was born in Toronto while her parents were vacationing in Canada. Raised on Staten Island, New York, she was one of six children: older brother Gren (Marsh), younger brothers and sister, John, Richard, Douglas and Joan. Her life was an adventure in three countries, with much travel in between. Jane survived Guillain-Barré syndrome as a child, and spent nine years at St. Joseph's Home in Peekskill, NY, before she, her brothers and sister were re-united with and raised by Mom-Mom (the world's worst cook!). After high school Jane met Henry Krause and they married in 1951. Together they had us: Jeffrey Alan in 1953, Lisa Ellen in 1955 and Janis Allyn in 1958. There were good times and tough times, and Mom took on the challenge of a single woman parent with three kids in NY and excelled at it. She took us to NYC, to Yankee Stadium, the 1964 World's Fair, tickertape parades, etc. She later determined that NY was not the right place to raise kids and decided to move us - Alaska or Winnipeg were her choices. Thank heaven for uncle Gren who lived in Winnipeg and made the decision a Canadian one. We arrived there on a snowy day November 3, 1966. Mom's first job in Winnipeg was in public relations with MacFarlane Communications, promoting arts and entertainment events such as the Mid Canada Boat, Sports Travel show and Rainbow Stage. During our first year here Mom mentioned to Uncle Gren that she realized why Winnipeg was so clean, with all these people walking around with brooms, and was then introduced to the sport of curling. As well, Ian tells a great story of Mom deciding she'd get more publicity by taking a bear and its trainer to the old Free Press building for an interview, instead of bringing a reporter to the show only for Mom and the bear to both get caught in the revolving door! In 1967, Jane met Hugh Mackay Ross ... a dashing romantic Scottish widower with a pad in a high rise apartment and Jag E-type to go with it. He had a love for violin, golf and Jane. They were married on March 25, 1969 and Hugh's children Ian (Jacquie), Dorothy (Gerald) Hollins, Jennifer (Larry) Husbands and Barbara (Denis) Fletcher joined the family and welcomed us to theirs. Our home on Wolseley Avenue encouraged Mom's love of gardening and her succession of Cairn terriers named Misty . She was a great cook, loved to entertain, was an avid reader, liked to redecorate, bird-watch, paint and became a great TV sports armchair critic. She could answer almost every question on Jeopardy but couldn't work a VCR. Hugh, a lifetime employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, later had a heart condition that forced early retirement. They decided another adventure was in order and, with Lisa and Janis in tow, they moved to Scotland in July of 1971. They lived on a croft and in two different homes in small quiet towns. More redecorating, gardening, working in a library, running a B B, and travel were in store to Venice, Egypt, Malta and other wonderful destinations. In 1981 Mom and Hugh returned to Winnipeg. Mom loved Winnipeg. During their years here Mom encouraged Hugh to write and publish two books about his experiences with the HBC. She adored her grandchildren Andrew and Emma Jane Abbott, born in Scotland in 1980 and 1985, and Aaron Dias, born in Calgary in 1993. She was a cherished mother-in-law to Derek, Francisco and Wendy. Hugh passed away in November, 1992. Through her brother Dick's newspaper in Cambridge, NY, Mom had met Louis Reyman and our mail order bride married again on September 22, 1994. Another family joined ours Dottie, Patty and Jackie, their spouses and children. Mom, as always, opened her heart and arms to them all, counting them as her own. For the past 16 years Jane lived a less hurried life with Louis and their spaniel Misty , visited often by family and friends, and with occasional trips herself, including England and Ireland. She was sidetracked in 2006 by a heart operation but recovered and took to the road again, visiting NYC to see Mamma Mia, and Pennsylvania to see her brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Gail. On July 9, 2010 a surprise 80th birthday dinner was held for Mom. In attendance were her son Jeff and daughter-in-law Wendy, granddaughter Jen with husband Clayton and great-grandson Bryce, daughter Lisa and grandson Aaron, and brother John and his partner Peg. My best birthday ever! she claimed. Some of Mom's greatest attributes were that she always encouraged us to enjoy life, be adventurous and daring and do what makes you happy. At her request no formal service will be held. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of her Life will be held in Winnipeg at a later date. Flowers gratefully declined. Instead, a donation of a gift of life to the Red Cross would be appreciated. Hug someone everyday. Fly to me to the Moon Let me play among the Stars Let me see what spring is like On Jupiter and Mars...

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 11, 2011