Jean Park
August 30, 1923 to
September 28, 2013
It is with extreme sadness that the family of Jean Park announces her passing.
Jean is survived by her daughter Sheila Park (Kamloops), her grandchildren Leslie Ennis-Smale
(Red Deer), David Park (Calgary), her great grandchildren Keenan Rose (Kaitlin), and Kelsie Smale (Red Deer), Kimberly Park (Calgary). Jean was predeceased by her husband Frank Park (Williams Lake) in 1982 and her daughter Susan Park (Chase) in 2010.
Jean was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England. At 14 she worked in a cotton mill before she turned 17 and was able to go into nurses training at Keighley Victoria Hospital in Yorkshire. She worked as a nurse until she had her children. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1952. Her husband Frank joined the RCAF. Jean lived with her family in many communities across Canada and also in France. They “retired” to BC in 1968 and lived in Kemano for 4 years before moving to Williams Lake.
Jean’s greatest pleasures came from her family. She loved being a grandmother and a great grandmother. She enjoyed her grandchildren’s visits and happy times at holidays with family and friends. In retirement she delighted in many trips with her daughters. Her 1985 tour of China fulfilled a life-long ambition, as a nurse she had long admired Norman Bethune.
Jean volunteered with many organizations throughout her life. She was a Guide as a girl and maintained this interest as a Guide Leader in the many communities she lived in. Jean lived in Williams Lake for 26 years. She worked and volunteered at Williams Lake library. Books and music were her passion. She was in many Williams Lake musicals and the Seniors Choir. She also volunteered for the Williams Lake Hospital Auxiliary, Cancer Society, Museum and the NDP. Jean also enjoyed writing stories, poems (her family now treasure as memories) and of course her letters to the editor of the Williams Lake Tribune. In her “spare time” Jean loved to knit and many babies received her sweaters and hats. Slippers, scarves, preemie toques, adult toques and speed skate guards were projects always in progress and all donated to many different organizations.
Jean moved to Kamloops in 1999 to be near her daughters. She lived at Cottonwood Manor and enjoyed the new friends that she made and the community spirit of the Manor, of course she also volunteered in the Maple Room. Jean will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Jean would remind you to “smile” and also that “You don’t have to behave but discretion is advised.” Gramma Jean you got to 90!!!
Jean’s family thanks the physicians, staff and volunteers at Kamloops Seniors Village where she has lived for the past six years in Assisted Living and Residential Care.
Respecting Jean’s personal request, no formal service will be held. A private family celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre, 690 Second Avenue North, Williams Lake, BC V2G 4C4 would be appreciated in her memory.
Creation arrangements are entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service.