Jane Elizabeth Kean

It is with heavy hearts and cherished memories that we announce the passing of Jane Elizabeth Kean (née Campbell) in Newmarket, Ontario on August 1 at the age of 90.

Jane is lovingly remembered by her husband of 66 years, John; her son Jonathan (Elizabeth), and daughters Jocelyn (Joey) and Jennipher (Jamie).

Born in New Richmond, Quebec on November 27, 1935, the second youngest of Harry and Catherine Campbell, she is predeceased by her parents, siblings Rae, John, Ken, Nancy, Mary, and Thane, and nephews Michael and Rick.

In 1957 she graduated from MacDonald College (McGill University) with a Bachelor of Science. She completed an internship at Toronto Western Hospital and worked as a dietitian at the Elgin General Hospital in St. Thomas. She met John by chance (he was her roommate’s date) at a Timothy Eaton Dance. They were married on July 27, 1960, and together lived in London, England, Toronto, Vancouver, Kleinburg (for over 40 years), Woodbridge and Aurora – devoted to each other for 66 years – T.T.F.

Thanks to John’s work with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), they traveled the world together – and what a team they were! Jane contributed her talent as a fastidious list maker to business dinners where they would greet people by name and inquire about their spouses and children. From Geneva to Tokyo, they formed lasting bonds of friendship…their Christmas card list is extensive.

Jane had a passion for community volunteering. She served as a Girl Guide leader, a founding member of the Canadian Federation of University Women Vaughan, chair of the Bindertwine Trust Fund (plus a bindertwine doll maker extraordinaire), a member of the Vaughan Library board, and a docent at McMichael Art Gallery. She was an active member of Christ Church, Woodbridge for many years giving of her time and talents. Being a dedicated organizer came in handy when she was a Sunday school teacher and later as the president of the Anglican Church Women.

Jane was known for her dry sense of humour and her enjoyment of gourmet cooking, baking and jelly making (especially at Christmas, when she gifted many people with cookies and cranberry claret jelly), travel, euchre (she played with the same group of ladies for over 25 years), crosswords, and letter writing. Above all, she was known for her deep love for her family and friends.

This expressed itself in the care she took in managing the family home. Do you know what you ate at your fifth birthday party, who attended, and what gifts you received? All three of her kids do as there is a recipe box full of the details of every party she ever gave. And there were many over the years! Gatherings at her Kleinburg home revealed Jane’s talents for cooking and organization as she and John would host perfectly orchestrated dinners and parties (with the kids enlisted to help).

Jane was a collector at heart! Antique glass, furniture, books, Canadian art, recipes, greeting cards and paper, all kinds of paper. Of the collecting she said, “We are attempting to sort out our idiosyncratic collections so when we go to the big flea market in the sky, the dumpster doesn’t get too full too fast!” No worries there as John was her partner in crime in this and they passed on the love of collecting to their kids.

Jane cherished their trips back to the family home in New Richmond, Quebec and loved being able to spend time with family and friends. She was so happy when her nephew Bruce and his wife Avril took on the monumental challenge of looking after and renovating the century home.

Friends and family are invited to gather to remember Jane on Friday, August 28 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 9 pm at Ward Funeral Home, Woodbridge Chapel, 4671 Hwy 7, Woodbridge ON L4L 1S6.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 29 at 11:30 am at Christ Church, Woodbridge, 8045 Islington Avenue, Woodbridge ON L4L 1W4. Inurnment to follow at Christ Church Anglican Cemetery

In memory of Jane the family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Christ Church Woodbridge.