June 29, 1925 - February 22, 2020
"Auntie Jean" was the youngest of 3 girls, born on a homestead in Val Marie Saskatchewan. Her parents were Clarence Edgar "Case" Prescott and Laura Kyle Prescott. She loved her "Daddy", and as asked, cared for her mother after his passing in 1950.
Her story began on the family horse ranch where she rode Beauty, the horse given to the Prescott sisters to ride. She left the homestead as a teenager to work with her middle sister Juanita Snowden at the Q Ranch in Medicine Hat, one of the largest in Alberta. Auntie loved to tell the stories of life on the prairie, growing up at Kyle Crossing, the White Mud, and the wild horses. The black ones were driven to Regina where they were shipped overseas to France, their colour a camouflage during WW2. She was especially proud of her Daddy who was a Champion Calf Roper back in the day, enjoying stampedes held on the local ranches and the Calgary Stampede, which was in the city she called home for most of her adult life.
Auntie's oldest sister was Frona Evelyn Prescott Hartley King, my grandmother. Auntie's niece is Patricia Hope Hartley Humm, my mom. Auntie came to Williams Lake in 2000 to be with our family where the next chapter of her life unfolded.
Auntie loved having family. She spent 10 years with Gary, Lindsey, and me (Darcy). Auntie's only companion was her cat Orion. Therefore, she enjoyed our home with the pets and loved her kitten Tiki, a gift from Jim. She adored her "cowboy" Jim, and wonderful Vi, who invited her to visit them on the Little Horsefly River. Auntie thought Vi made the best food ever!
She enjoyed outings once a week with Agatha. They went to the Country Cottage Hair Salon where Amanda did her hair. The staff over the years became her friends. Marcy, Claudia, Siggy, Simone, Teresa, and Lisa. All the ladies were kind and enjoyed Auntie's wit and humour Then off they'd go to the Friendship Center for lunch, greeted by Debbie.
Dementia reared its ugly head in 2010 when Auntie's story changed and she moved to the Williams Lake Senior's Village. This was a challenging time and she felt lonely. I'm grateful to Brian for giving Auntie a room of her own in the log house, a home to go to. Time is irrelevant when suffering dementia and she remembered sitting in the rocking chair in front of the big fireplace as if it was yesterday. Animals are always well received and she enjoyed seeing the bunny when Marissa came. Auntie's friend Ina invited her to visit and made sure that she had clothes that fit.
During the fires of 2017 Cindy cared about Auntie, making sure she had everything she needed. When Auntie was evacuated out of the area she ended up in Armstrong where she was welcomed by Pam and her family into their home. She stayed for 5 weeks getting to know her new friends, their children and grandchildren. The kids asking for "Auntie Jean treats", Werther's Originals, her favourite hard candy.
She loved her English friends and they celebrated June birthdays at the lake with Michelle. Auntie sang all the old songs with Don, and was reluctant to share the chocolate that was her gift from Anne. Wilfred was another of Auntie's friends and she felt honoured to be treated as a respected elder.
I appreciate Tammy and the staff at the Seniors Village who cared for Auntie at the end. It was a long struggle during her time there, thankfully before passing on she told me, "she didn't miss me as much because she didn't feel alone anymore." Such a simple thing to give to another. I appreciate this more than I can say.
I will miss my great Aunt, my life won't be the same. Lindsey and Silas will remember too, Auntie was the 5th. generation in our family. Silas was fortunate to have spent time with her and she with him. She always said she wanted to live long enough to see him go to school. He's in grade one.
Auntie leaves her niece Hope, great nephew Cam (Carol), great niece, Sandi (Larry), great great niece's, Amanda (Warren), Lindsey (Drew), Marissa (Jesse), great great nephew's Chris (Sandra), Corey (Ashley) , and Anthony. Great great great niece's Emily, Kaylee, Breanna, Sidney, River, Kelsey and great great great nephew's Silas, Archer, Adien, Tanner, Evan, Ethan and Lucas.
In lieu of flowers, let all those you encounter leave happier and less lonely than before you met. May there always be loving kindness in your heart and a gentle smile upon your face. There are so many people that would benefit from this and Auntie would want it so.
Farewell Lovey xo