JEAN JOANNE BURROWS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JEAN JOANNE BURROWS

(nee MCGREGOR)

On the afternoon of May 24, 2026, Jean Joanne Burrows passed away peacefully in Victoria, B.C.

Born on June 27, 1939, in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, to James and Irene McGregor, Jean spent her childhood in the small town of Speers, Saskatchewan, and her teenage years in the Okanagan Valley. From a very young age, she wanted to be a nurse. She never lost sight of that goal and, in 1962, graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Jean married her life partner, Dave Burrows, in 1963. They moved to Winnipeg, where they built a home and raised their two children. In her nursing career, Jean worked in Saskatoon, Kelowna, and Winnipeg, where she taught at the St. Boniface Hospital School of Nursing until 1976. She served on the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses, negotiated contracts for the St. Boniface Hospital Nurses Association, and was Negotiator Vice-President of the Provincial Staff Nurses Council.

In 1976, Jean began a long career at Red River College. She was an instructor in the Nursing Program for one year and, in 1977, became Head of the Nursing Program, a position she held until two years prior to her retirement. Jean retired in 1998 as Acting Dean of Applied Sciences. Over the years, she was instrumental in developing several innovative nursing education delivery models, including Manitoba’s first joint Baccalaureate Nursing Program.

Outside of her nursing career, Jean’s greatest passions were her family, her faith, and their cherished camp on Lake of the Woods. During retirement, Dave and Jean split their time between Victoria, BC, and Lake of the Woods, where Jean spent her days tending her garden, enjoying the lake, and making treasured memories with her grandchildren. In Victoria, she returned to curling, a sport she had always loved, becoming the skip of her curling team and a dedicated volunteer. She was also an enthusiastic fan of the Winnipeg Jets.

Nothing brought Jean more joy than her family. She loved watching her grandchildren play hockey and, when she was in Victoria, faithfully listening to their games on the radio. She adored her creative granddaughter, Shainna, and took great pride in each of her grandchildren’s accomplishments. Intelligent, deeply caring, authentic, and dedicated, Jean approached life with warmth, determination, and an unwavering commitment to her family, her profession, and her faith.

Jean is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dave; her children, Janice (Jeff) and John; her adored grandchildren, Taylor (Cory), Matthew, and Shainna; and her honorary granddaughter, Carling.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of The Heights at Mount View for their compassionate care and kindness. They are also deeply grateful to the many friends, neighbours, and caregivers who enriched Jean’s later years with their companionship, support, and love, allowing her to remain surrounded by community and friendship.

At Jean’s request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the Victoria Hospital's Foundation Child Life Program - Victoria Hospital Foundation (VHF) or the Winnipeg Humane Society.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2026