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JANE BLAIR SIMPSON (FERGUSON)
Born: Jan 11, 1951
Date of Passing: Mar 24, 2023
Offer Condolences or Memory JANE BLAIR SIMPSON
(FERGUSON)
January 11, 1951 - March 24, 2023
On Friday, March 24, 2023, Jane Blair Simpson (nee Ferguson) died at the age of 72, peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.
Jane was predeceased by her parents, Colin and Angie Ferguson (nee Mackenzie) and sister Debbie (and beloved son Sean). She is survived by her husband Rob, her children, Gillian (Steven), David (Shereese), and Ange (Rhys), her wonderful grandchildren, Ben, Laura, Henna, Campbell, Kenz, Briony, Cooper, and Tal, her brothers, Colin (Alison) and David "Murph" (Joy) and her nieces and nephews.
Jane was born in Boston, Massachusetts and moved to Winnipeg shortly thereafter, her home ever since. She attended Balmoral Hall School for most of her schooling and finished high school at Kelvin High School. She then went on to the University of Manitoba and obtained her Arts degree. Jane spent many of her career years caring for a house full of children (the toughest of jobs and one that she was very proud of). She got back into the workforce first at the Pavilion in Assiniboine Park and later at the Misericordia Hospital, where she planned fundraising events for the foundation.
Jane had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel. Over the years she visited Europe, Africa, Asia, Central America, South America and much of Canada and the US. Her travels always involved exciting activities from hot air ballooning over the Serengeti to white water rafting in Costa Rica to horseback riding in Argentina to rope swinging with her grandchildren into a river in Jamaica and so much more. An excellent skier, she loved a good ski trip with family and friends, as well as the après ski Caesar at the bottom of the hill.
Jane's favourite place on earth was Lake of the Woods. She grew up at the family cottage on the southern tip of Mackies island, where at a young age she enjoyed summers driving around in the Pom-Pom. She was an avid sailor, first in the Lightning class and then in the Laser 2 class. In the late 1970s she and Rob bought their own cottage on Mackies and have spent every summer there since. She spent her summers as a young mother crayfishing, crafting and doing various water sports with her children. In more recent years, she spent them playing tennis, Scrabble, crafting, and many activities with her grandchildren.
Jane became a "Granny" in 2006 and that expanded quickly to eight grandchildren by 2020. Being young at heart, this was a role at which she excelled. Over the years she played countless games of spoons and memory, organized crafts, crayfished, waterskied, downhill skied, planned scavenger hunts and "beef and baseball" parties, caught bugs, and baked amazing cookies and muffins with and for her grandchildren. She was so proud to have passed on her love of the lake and her love of skiing to her grandchildren and she never, ever, missed an opportunity to tell them just how much she loved them.
Jane was extremely creative and innovative. She made crafts, furniture and countless decorative accents for her home and cottage and those of her children. There is likely no one that knew her that does not have one of her many creations - cribbage boards, crayfishing rods, placemats, jewellery, bark art, Christmas decorations and so much more.
Thank you to all who visited and reached out over the last few months. Your thoughts are so much appreciated. A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5 at the Qualico Family Centre in Assiniboine Park.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Manitoba or a charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 01, 2023
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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My deepest sympathy to you Rob and family I will miss bumping into Jane at the Safeway in kenora in the summers. Jane was a very great lady - Posted by: Jan Coates (Robs cousin) on: Apr 09, 2023
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To Rob and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Jane was a fun person who enjoyed life to the fullest. She was loved by all who met her and I have fond memories. - Posted by: Lynda Wilkie (Friend) on: Apr 07, 2023
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We are very sorry to hear of your loss Rob. Our sincere condolences to you and your family. May all of your beautiful memories give you peace. Thinking of you, Leslie and Curtis - Posted by: Leslie Nagel (Cousin-in-law) on: Apr 05, 2023
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Dear Rob, so sorry to hear the sad news. Jane was a wonderful person and was taken from you far too soon, Tony Vivian. - Posted by: Tony Vivian (Friend ) on: Apr 05, 2023
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To Jane’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. Jane had such a kind and caring heart. We worked together at Misericordia, I managed Recreation Services. Whenever I needed help with anything that would help the residents I could always count on Jane’s support. She was all in if it meant the residents would benefit or their lives would be enhanced. It was a pleasure to know her, may her memory be a blessing to your family. - Posted by: Ellen Locke (Friend from work) on: Apr 03, 2023
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Jane was so much fun to spend time with.....words like beautiful, smart, charismatic, funny, talented, enthusiastic come to mind yet are insufficient.... a very lovely lady! I have the best memory of playing in a RLWYC Ladies Doubles Tennis Tournament Final with her as partners one summer.....we had match point on our racquets twice but it was not to be that day....... I have never enjoyed a doubles game more and add to my personal tribute to Jane... a great doubles partner and an extremely good sport. To Jane's family and Rob, my sincere condolences for your loss, may those beautiful memories sustain you. Sincerely Debbie Vivian - Posted by: Deborah A Vivian (Friend) on: Apr 01, 2023
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Dear Rob and Family, we are so sorry to hear of Jane’s passing. While our paths didn’t cross a lot I do remember her beautiful smile and demeanor. What a beautiful life and legacy she has left with your family. Our hearts are broken for your loss. In our Thoughts, Karen and Ollie - Posted by: Karen Mueller (Wankling) (Cousin in law) on: Apr 01, 2023
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Our deepest sympathies to Rob and family. We were shocked to hear of Jane’s passing. Our thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow. May all your wonderful memories give you peace. Val Bowie Pam and Dan Saunders - Posted by: Pam Saunders (Rob’s cousin) on: Apr 01, 2023
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So very sorry to hear this news. My sincere condolences Rob & Family for the loss of your wonderful wife, mother & grandma! - Posted by: Bette Westall (Cousin) on: Apr 01, 2023
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Will always remember Jane in her "happy place” at Lake of the Woods. Our best wishes to Rob and the family. - Posted by: Pam and Chris Hodgson (Family friend) on: Apr 01, 2023
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So sorry to hear of your loss Rob. - Posted by: Christopher Bell (Friend of Rob) on: Apr 01, 2023