In her 90th year, surrounded by her loving family, Jean Patricia Overton (nee Taylor) passed away. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 38 years, Ed Overton.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Sandra (Ben Vandecamp)of Muskoka and Mark Overton of Brampton.
She was a proud and devoted Nana to Sean Vandecamp (Jess)of Bradford and Megan Ward (Cam)of Fergus. Great Grandchildren, Owen and Liam Vandecamp and Aspen and London Ward will miss their Nana Jean beyond measure. Also predeceased by her mother Amy Betty Wright (nee Taylor, Butterworth) and father Jack Taylor as well as her dear step-father Pete Wright. Sadly missed by stepbrother, Terry Wright (Susan) and her nieces Katie and Madeline Wright. She will be missed dearly by nephew Lad(George) Overton and wife Sharon.
Jean was born in London, England in 1933. Attending doctors at the time, said that it was a miracle that she survived being born three months premature. Her early years were of great interest to the news and Royal family in London at the time. She grew up to face numerous challenges. She endured the London Blitz, deafness, life in the London Underground tubes, the aviation death of her cherished father, Jack and a debilitating torso burn the result of a V1 bomb from which she spent nearly a year in body casts.
Jean was an avid dancer through her teenage years and early adulthood. She excelled at classical ballet and acrobatics. When she came to Canada as a young woman while following her mother Amy Betty and Pete, she continued this and partnered with a professional dance studio until meeting and marrying Ed Overton.
Jean continued her schooling in Canada and graduated from Toronto's Central Tech Secondary School in Secretarial Arts. Her skills from there enabled her to pursue a career in the Customs brokerage business for most of her working years.
During her life with Ed, she lived with Ed's extended family on a farm in Malton Ontario following the birth of Sandra. Later, following the arrival of their son Mark, the family moved to Cooksville and then to Brampton.
Jean and Ed spent many family holidays in Georgian Bay near Honey Harbour with their many friends and family, camping and boating. This love of the outdoors helped Jean and Ed to move on to cottage life with the building of a cottage on the Severn River in Muskoka. This place became their labour of love that they proudly shared with many family, friends, and neighbors who had helping hands in constructing and enjoying the northern life and aventures. It became Jean's happy place that she continued to share with her grandchildren and great grandchildren as the years passed.
After Ed's sudden passing in 1991, Jean travelled to Spain, Aruba, England and Florida.
It was Florida that caught Jean's fancy especially since she did not fare well with the long cold Canadian winters. With the purchase of a mobile home near Disneyworld Orlando, never was a winter missed for Sandra, Ben, Sean and Megan to arrive for March breaks. Jean's mom vacationed with her in the cozy community that Jean had found down south.
As her age brought on many ailments, Jean once again returned to Brampton and lived at Manorbridge Seniors Apartments. When her independence became an challenge, Jean moved to Holland Christian Homes where she enjoyed the friendship of her dining table mates, Audrey, Julia, and Pat as well as the quiet faith filled community that she found. Jean loved her colouring, music sing-alongs, walks, exercise classes and floral arranging at Faith Manor.
Jean will be remembered as a survivor with perseverance and a stiff upper lip. She was loving, supportive and generous. She was a very good listener and intuitive to know your concerns by looking at your eyes. Her sense of humour and her ability to muster to every occasion regardless of her own discomfort was her strength. Her claim to fame was her two finger point when she was giving you the 'what for' and her most frequently used phrase, 'So what's the plan now?'
Funeral service and visitation will be held at Meadowvale Funeral Centre,7732 Mavis Rd., Brampton(905-451-3716) on Tuesday, March 7. Visitation from 10-11, service at 11 followed by reception. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Alzheimer Society.