McGHEE
Jean Sylvia
September 15, 1937 - June 24, 2023
Jean Sylvia McGhee who passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in Linden was a wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, widow, neighbour, teacher, and dance partner extraordinaire. Jean’s sons, Stacy, Randy, and Todd, along with their partners Ruth, Marcel, and Faye, loved her deeply. She was a cherished grandmother to Bradley, Alyse, Keara, Daylan, Gavin, Michael, Curtis, and Courtney. Predeceased by husband Mert and siblings Stan, Barbara, Lloyd, and Eileen, she is survived by her brother Edgar, of Green Valley, Arizona.
Born on September 15, 1937, in Drumheller, Jean grew up in Munson, attending school there before moving on to high school in Drumheller. She pursued secretarial training at Mount Royal College in Calgary and it was here she had a roommate named Joan McGhee and how she eventually met Mert. They shared a rural Alberta upbringing, eventually settling back on Turtle Back farm where Jean enjoyed meeting new people, joining a thriving community and developing an expansive vegetable garden and as an accomplished cook, gardener, and canner of fruits and vegetables.
An active partner on the farm, and raising three boys, Jean also had a vibrant social life and made valuable contributions to her community. She was active at the Orkney Presbyterian Church and the Orkney Athletic Association. Jean was known for her love of fun, games, laughter, entertaining, and together with Mert, she especially enjoyed Saturday night dances. Moving to Drumheller in 1997 and after Mert’s passing in 2010, Jean continued to foster strong connections within the community, maintaining a close circle of neighbour friends, including her two older sisters, Eileen and Barb. In 2011, she moved into her own condo, where she embraced independent living and enjoyed social mornings over coffee. Despite health challenges in 2016 and 2021, Jean never despaired, continually finding strength through her family and friends. She resided at Hillview in Drumheller, then Hanna Continuing Care for eight months, and finally, as of December 2021, she became a resident at Westview Care Community in Linden.
Jean leaves behind a legacy of precious memories and time with family and friends, often filled with laughter-turning-to-tears at her endearing foibles and sayings. Jean’s extended family, nieces, and nephews adored her, as did her Orkney, Drumheller, and Big Country neighbours and friends as well as staff and medical personnel at Hillview, Hanna and Westview in Linden. A special heartfelt thank you goes to her caregivers at Hillview, Hanna and Westview and also to Helping Hands, and in particular Terry in Hanna, and Kathy and Imma during her time at Westview. Jean so looked forward to your visits and doing what she could to beat you at a game of cribbage.
A private committal service will be held at the Sarcee Butte cemetery at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 29. A closed memorial service will be held at the Orkney Presbyterian Church at 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 29. An open house reception will be held at the Orkney Community Centre at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 29. Donations may be made to Westview Care Community, Linden, Alberta and online at http://Westviewcare.ca
