JOCELYN SAMSON

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JOCELYN SAMSON (nee BACKMAN) September 28, 1939 - February 3, 2017 It is with sadness we announce that Jocelyn passed away peacefully at home on February 3, 2017 with her husband at her side. Jocelyn was predeceased by her father (Edward) and mother (Phyllis). Mourning her loss are her partner and caring husband Bruce; her brother Al (Diana), nieces Andrea (Gian) and Erika (Fred); her brother Phil (Anne), nephews Rob and Cody (Janelle) ; niece Barbara (Niall); sister-in-law Jean Lothian; stepsons Bruce (Sylvia) and Ian (Lynne), stepdaughter Hillary (Markus). Born on September 28, 1939 in Regina Saskatchewan to Edward and Phyllis Backman, Jocelyn moved to Winnipeg shortly thereafter when the bank transferred her father. She attended Kelvin High School and went on to earn an English degree at the University of Manitoba. Jocelyn's great-grandmother Charlotte Ross was the first female doctor in western Canada. A similar pioneer spirit carried Jocelyn into the world of investment banking at a time when few women had broken into the field. While working at Richardsons she earned her CFA designation and went on to become a director of the firm. Her experiences at Richardsons allowed her to be well travelled. Being bilingual she worked out of their Montreal office for a number of years with trips overseas to Europe. Along the way she developed an artistic flair and style all her own. After 25 years she retired from Richardson Greenshields and went on to become the chairman of the Manitoba Securities Commission. Jocelyn like many Manitobans was drawn by the lake life and purchased a cottage on McKenzie Portage Road, Lake of the Woods. This spot was dear to her heart and many hours were spent relaxing and entertaining at the cottage and Yacht Club. Her other favourite spot was her winter home in Surprise, Arizona where she and Bruce would go to escape the cold and follow the hummingbirds. Jocelyn married Bruce on May 27, 1988. They first called home their house on Lockwood Street in Winnipeg, and then they retired to her beloved cottage at Lake of the Woods for the summers. Winters would be spent in their home in Sun Village, in Surprise, Arizona. Most recently they had moved to Vancouver to enjoy the much more hospitable winter climes than Ontario or Manitoba had to offer. Jocelyn had a special relationship with her mother. The two of them were great friends, spending many hours together both at the cottage and in Arizona. Phyllis would also look after Jocelyn's dog Dante while she was away on business. While in Arizona Jocelyn attended T'ai Chi Chih classes and in her typical way she embraced it fully and went on to become an accredited teacher of the discipline. She spent many hours holding classes for the residents of Sun Village. Music was another important part of Jocelyn's life. Her family had an 1895 piano that had originally been transported via the Red River from North Dakota to Winnipeg. Jocelyn and her mother loved to play the piano and would play for hours while looking out over the water at the cottage. Jocelyn approached her failing health with the same strength and determination that had carried her so well in her career and life. She would not let it define her and fought to continue to partake in the passions of her life. A gathering for Jocelyn's friends in Vancouver will be held at the Bishop's Green Clubhouse, 2355 - 152 Street on Saturday, February 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held in Manitoba / Lake of the Woods this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to a charity of choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 11, 2017