JEAN MCMASTER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JEAN MCMASTER Jean McMaster, 80, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2017, at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. Jean was one of twelve children born in Peterborough, ON, to Emma Jean and William Clarke. While working at the local Simpson Sears store, Jean met the love of her life, Bill McMaster. Six months after they were married Bill was transferred to the Sears store in the new Polo Park Mall. Jean stayed at home to raise their two children, daughter Barb and son Bill. When the children were both in Junior High she returned to work for many years as a secretary at the Health Sciences Hospital. She was a dedicated worker, loving wife and mother, and exceptional care-giver to her family. Jean volunteered at the local community club, taught Sunday School at Harrow United Church and was known by all the kids in the neighborhood to make the best hot donuts in the world. Family was most important to her and whether it was visiting her family back in Peterborough each summer or vacationing with Barb and her husband Chris up at Clear Lake, she loved to be surrounded by family. The pride and joy of her life was her granddaughter Emma, whom she loved dearly. A close second to Emma was Zoe the family dog who for the last year and a half visited her every night to help tuck her into bed. Jean was a kind and gentle person who was the consummate caregiver and took great care of her husband of 55 years, Bill, as he battled cancer in the last year of his life. Jean was also a fighter who when diagnosed with Alzheimers proved that it isn't always doom and gloom as she spent the last year and a half of her life living at the Rosewood where she went on bus trips, had sing-a-longs and enjoyed the amazing second family of women she lived with at Alder House. The family would like to thank Kusume, Cherito and Cindy from Alder House for looking after "Mamma Jean" and caring for her like she was their own mother. The family would also like to thank Cheryle and the great staff at the Co-op pharmacy in Grant Park for their kindness and the constant bubble pack changes that Jean required. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Gerald Konrad and all the staff at the Family Medical Centre and the nurses and support staff on the 4th floor, for all their care and support of Jean. We will always hold a special place in our hearts for the doctors and nurses for always being there for Jean and Bill when they needed them and providing them with exceptional care. Jean will be missed by all that knew and loved her. A celebration of Jean and Bill's life will be held at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg on February 14 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, CancerCare Manitoba or the MS Society of Canada, Manitoba Division. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 21, 2017