JEAN KATHERINE SWEETLAND (DULMAGE)

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JEAN KATHERINE SWEETLAND (nee DULMAGE) With sadness in our hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Jean Katherine Sweetland, surrounded by her loving family, on February 15, 2018. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Norman, daughter Gail, brothers Bill and Emery, sisters-in-law Betty and Joyce, and nieces Debbie and Sheila. She is survived by her children: Dona, Norma Jean, and Bob (Ainsley), her grandchildren: Janet (Phil), Katherine, Trevor (Samahra), Madeline and Ian, and beloved nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States. Jean was born on April 17, 1923, in Winnipeg, and lived here for nearly 95 years. She grew up in Lord Roberts attending Lord Roberts School and Kelvin High School before meeting her beloved husband Norman at The Winnipeg Roller Rink in 1939 and marrying him in 1944. She and Norman enjoyed 69 years of marriage, four children and five grandchildren together. Jean had a zest for life, always embracing it to the fullest. She was a loyal, fun loving and feisty woman who was young at heart and had a smile that would light up a room. She had great pride in her family and cherished her many friends, no matter the age difference. She was a wonderful cook, a seamstress, a sharp bridge player, a strong swimmer, a wicked down the line tennis player, and a fantastic dancer with a love for music and anything about the British Monarchy. As a young child she grew up in a house filled with lively political debate. Her love of politics grew when she worked in the premier's office in her 20s and it became a lifelong interest. She and Norm loved to travel and spent many a winter holiday playing tennis in Florida, Barbados and The Algarve. Whether skiing in Vermont, river rafting in the Grand Canyon, going on a river cruise in Europe or just seeing the countryside - she enjoyed it all, she loved life. At the age of 60, she became a successful travel agent working at five different agencies before retiring at close to 80 years of age. In her 70s, she was learning Tai Chi, line dance and while in Texas, the two step! Her love of water kept her swimming and aqua sizing into her 80s. Victoria Beach held a special place in Jean's heart with many memories of time spent at the tennis courts, going for ice cream at the Moonlight Inn, early morning swims at King Edward Beach or having friends drop by for coffee, cards or dessert - always dessert! Simply having breakfast on the veranda or walking to the water's edge brought her a sense of peace. The Sweetland family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at The Wellington, the caring nurses and homecare staff, as well as the doctors and nurses on the GH4 ward at Health Sciences Centre who supported and cared for Jean. A celebration of Jean's life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at The Wellington, 3161 Grant Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean's name to CancerCare Manitoba or the Health Sciences Centre Foundation.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 22, 2018