The family of Jean White (nee Wood) are saddened by her passing on September 3, 2024 after a short illness at Brucelea Haven Long Term Care Home in Walkerton in her 88th year.
Jean is the loving mother of Debbie (Jeff) and Barry (Dawn) and grandmother of Jamie and Trisha. Jean is also a beloved step-mother of Darlene and step-grandmother of Kimberley and Aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Jean was predeceased by her parents (Thelma and Robert Wood) 5 brothers (Robert, James, Gerald, Donald and Russell) and her three brothers-in-law (Bob, Barry and Donald)and is survived by one brother Ross (Jane) and 2 sisters Audrey and Margaret and sister-in-law Valerie.
Jean grew up in Toronto and spent many summers in Port Elgin with her cherished Aunt Myrle. She met her first husband, Don White while taking part in a work carpool. They married in 1957. Debbie joined them 3 years later and Barry completed the foursome 2 years after that. Jean spent her working life in the accounting department at Southam Inc., leading a team of many who became life-long friends. Jean and Don made a great life together and had Aunt Myrle join them in their home in her twilight years. After their marriage ended in divorce, Jean met Sheldon Belrose in Tobermory Ontario with whom she built a second life and a house on a farm outside of Paisley. Jean and Sheldon integrated themselves into the community by becoming members of The Gypsy Campers with Sheldon playing fiddle and Jean singing and dancing.
Following Sheldon’s death, she moved into the Village of Paisley where she continued to be an avid volunteer, enthusiastic quilter, loyal friend and became very capable at the slot machines, going on bus trips around Ontario with like-minded travellers. Jean made many new friends in the Paisley area, especially Doreen Prues and Gwen Maxwell. While Jean lived at Brucelea Haven, she turned her skill at slot machines to a healthy obsession for Bingo, reporting her winnings to her son-in-law on a weekly basis.
Jean’s family thank the team at Brucelea Haven for the exemplary care their mother received, especially the care and respect shown during the difficult days leading up to Jean’s death. Jean’s family is grateful to Doreen for her incredible amount of support and help especially during the time leading to Jean’s death.
As per Jean’s wishes, there will be no funeral or Celebration of Life. Cremation has taken place and Jean will be interred along side Sheldon in the Paisley Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Huron Shores Cremation Services, 1-888-234-8990 with memorial online at www.huronshorescremation.com
