Jean Marie Cleland

What an amazing life:

6 Countries ~ 85 years ~ 1 husband ~ 3 children ~ 5 Grandchildren ~ 3 Great Grandchildren

Our family Matriarch was born in England on July 30, 1937 and passed away with her family by her side on December 30, 2022.

Imagine growing up during WWII ~ she remembered ration stamps, air raid sirens, doodle bugs and how kind the Canadian Soldiers were to the children.  She grew up on a dairy farm in Sussex. Jean was the eldest of 4 children for Bernard and Dulcie Armstrong ~ Jean, Sam, Linda and Hazel.

Mom finished school and was too young for nursing school so moved to France to be an au pair.  While living with the Moncrieff’s she travelled in Austria, France, and Germany.  She returned to England and went to Nursing School in Westminster Hospital in London and then her midwifery training at Southlands Hospital.  She would ride her bike to homes in the area and deliver babies.  She dreamed of coming to Canada and during one of her visits home, she connected with a neighbour’s daughter who offered her a job in Canada for 1 year. She came to Canada in 1965 and worked at the hospital in Rossburn.  There she met Wendell Cleland and they were married in England in 1966.

They lived at Cleland’s Corner until 1997 when they moved into town.  Jean was always very busy as a devoted farmer’s wife, a loving, caring mother and an amazing grandmother.  She belonged to the UCW, the church choir and taught Sunday school as we were growing up.  She also was a 4-H leader and she even managed to teach a young, blind girl to knit!!  When she moved to town she joined the local book club, Rossburn Petal Pushers, and the Monday afternoon craft ladies until her eyesight started to fail her and she began staying at home more.  Mom was raised in the Church of England, then attended the United Church in Rossburn and in her last few years she went to the Christian Assembly. It didn’t matter which church she attended; her faith was strong to the end.

Mom and Dad were inseparable throughout the years and Dad’s devotion to her never wavered.

They raised 3 children ~ Sarah, Beverly, and Richard on the Cleland Family Farm.  Over the years many trips were made.  There was always a trip to the Rockies when family came from England, and she had lots of visitors from overseas over the years.  Many vacations were taken with the Stitt’s whether in Canada or overseas. Dad often took her home to England and as children we were all shown where she grew up.  Mom’s pride and joy was always her family.  She loved her children with her whole heart and when they brought home new family members her heart grew a little bit more to fit them all in.  Recently when she was asked what she was most proud of in life she said her family ~ no matter how busy we were we would make the time for them even if it was just for 5 minutes or to have a drink from the measuring cup!  Mom has had many dear friends over the years.  Thank you to Avis for her weekly visits to mom through her illness.

Mom leaves to mourn her loving husband of 57 years, Wendell.

Her children Sarah, Beverly (Richard) Kostecki and Richard (Jenell) Cleland

5 Grandchildren ~ Alex, Timothy (Shawna) Cleland, Jenessa (Thomas) Parish, Michael (Courtney Chykowski) and Michaela

3 Great Grandchildren ~ Bennett, Brooks, and Madison Cleland

2 Sisters in England ~ Linda (Roy) Stepney and Hazel (Robin) Huffer

1 Sister-in-law ~ Elaine (Del) Stitt

Many nieces and nephew both here and in England

There were a handful of special people in her life

~ John Munro and Jane Munro Higgott whom she looked after for many years as they were growing up ~~ Mrs. Crennan was loved by them both.

~Avis Stitt who brought her to this wee town in the middle of nowhere to find her dream!

Mom was predeceased by:

Her parents Bernard and Dulcie Armstrong, her parents-in-law Alex and Lizzie Cleland

Her brother and sister-in-law ~ Sam and Betty Armstrong.

Mom fought hard right to the end.

GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN ~ IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL