Obituary for Jean Margaret Macdonald Finlay
JEAN MARGARET MACDONALD FINLAY, R.N., B.A.
January 25, 1936 – January 20, 2023
With sadness we announce the passing of Jean Finlay, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who died at Golden West Centennial Lodge in Winnipeg with family by her side.
She leaves to mourn her devoted husband of 64 years, Ron; daughters Carol and Janice (Rob), sons Gordon (Karen) and Ian
(Johanna); grandchildren Brent, David, Duncan (Kelly), Jane (José), Desirée (Jesse), Sabrina (Andrea), Stephanie (Ian) and
Marissa (Alex); and great-grandchildren Audrey, KayceeRae and Tuari. She also leaves to mourn her nieces and nephews Don, David, Doug, Debbie, Arlene, Rick, Brent, and Colin.
Jean was predeceased by her parents, William and Doris (nee Joseph) Macdonald, and her sister Patricia Mackenzie.
The daughter of an English mother and Scottish father who emigrated to Winnipeg in the early 1900’s, Jean was proud of her
Scottish heritage. Jean grew up in St. Vital and lived in Winnipeg all her life. She was incredibly intelligent, competing for the
best marks in school. As a girl she stood first in her class from grades one to ten. Jean’s marks were among the top three in grades 11 and 12 at United College on the University of Winnipeg campus. It was at United College where she met her future husband Ron in 1952. By 1954, Ron and Jean were dating, and they married in 1958.
Jean became a Registered Nurse (R.N.), graduating from the Grace Hospital and making many precious lifelong friends as a
member of Class ‘57B. Her talent for nursing benefitted many, especially her family. She worked diligently at providing a wide
variety of nutritious and beautifully prepared meals, along with delicious baked goods and preserves for her family. She kept a
clean and orderly household. In the true spirit of being a nurse, Jean modelled kindness and compassion, even after her admission to Golden West Centennial Lodge with dementia. Believing she was a nurse in the hospital again, she frequently checked in with other residents and offered them comfort when needed.
Jean and Ron lived in St. James, buying their first little house on Roseberry Street, where they had their daughters Carol and Janice. In 1964, they built a house on Athlone Drive, and along came sons Gordon and Ian. Jean and Ron were members of the congregation at Sturgeon Creek United church, where Jean sometimes taught Sunday school, loved singing hymns and hearing the organ music. On Sundays the family visited ‘Gramma Mac’, Jean’s mother, at her house on Sunset Boulevard and Ron’s parents, ‘Gramma and Grandpa Fin’, Jack and May Finlay, at their house on Scotia Street.
Jean was an avid reader and lifelong learner. She started reading at age five! Later in life, with four children at home, Jean returned to the University of Winnipeg, as a part time, mature student majoring in Psychology and Sociology. In true ‘Jean’ style, she earned the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for attaining the highest average in her Bachelor of Arts graduating class.
Besides walking and hiking, physical activities that Jean enjoyed were Aquasize, yoga and, as an older adult, weight training classes. Jean especially loved ballroom dancing with Ron. They were members of the Westview Dance Club for 25 years, where they had a fun and active social life.
Jean was an environmentalist years before it became popular. She adored nature, animals, birds, insects, and any living thing. She spent hours in her lovely flower gardens, learned how to grow plants from seeds and, along with Ron and the family, tended a large organic vegetable garden.
Jean and Ron planned summer camping trips when the children were young. As the children grew older, the family had a seasonal camp at Spruce Sands for several years. Eventually, they inherited the family cottage at Sandy Hook on Lake Winnipeg. This became Jean’s ‘happy place’ where she loved being on the lakefront. There she faithfully fed the hummingbirds, protected the spiders and happily worked on her many crafts and creative projects.
Jean was an extraordinarily talented creator and crafter. Because of her discerning artistic eye, acute attention to detail, and her ability to start – and finish – projects, Jean excelled at knitting, quilting, and sewing. She custom-made beautiful clothes and household items for her family. Christmases were a time to showcase her handmade wall hangings, ornaments, table linens, aprons, oven mitts, quilted placemats, sweaters, and homemade gifts for her family. Jean was able to follow complex patterns and create original designs and often spent evenings knitting while watching her favourite television programs with Ron.
As a girl, Jean attained her RCM Grade VII piano and developed a passion for classical and jazz music. She instilled the love of music in her children, one who became a professional musician and another who taught piano. Jean loved listening to music and attending live concerts, the theatre, and other arts and cultural events.
Jean also liked traveling. Besides the family holiday trips, she and Ron took trips throughout Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and Mexico. They also enjoyed cruises through the Caribbean, Baltic, and Alaska on various ships. Over the past ten years, Jean became very ill with dementia. She stayed at home for a few years and attended a day program at Deer Lodge Centre. Jean resided at Golden West Centennial Lodge for the last 6½ years of her life, where her family and especially Ron visited almost daily.
The family extends special thanks to the very kind caregivers and staff of Golden West Centennial Lodge, friend Ruth Campbell, companion visitor Brenda Reznik, Dr. Russ Albak and to the team at Deer Lodge Centre.
Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service is planned. The family would be grateful for donations in memory of Jean Finlay to Golden West Centennial Lodge, or to a charity of your choice.
January 25, 1936 – January 20, 2023
With sadness we announce the passing of Jean Finlay, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who died at Golden West Centennial Lodge in Winnipeg with family by her side.
She leaves to mourn her devoted husband of 64 years, Ron; daughters Carol and Janice (Rob), sons Gordon (Karen) and Ian
(Johanna); grandchildren Brent, David, Duncan (Kelly), Jane (José), Desirée (Jesse), Sabrina (Andrea), Stephanie (Ian) and
Marissa (Alex); and great-grandchildren Audrey, KayceeRae and Tuari. She also leaves to mourn her nieces and nephews Don, David, Doug, Debbie, Arlene, Rick, Brent, and Colin.
Jean was predeceased by her parents, William and Doris (nee Joseph) Macdonald, and her sister Patricia Mackenzie.
The daughter of an English mother and Scottish father who emigrated to Winnipeg in the early 1900’s, Jean was proud of her
Scottish heritage. Jean grew up in St. Vital and lived in Winnipeg all her life. She was incredibly intelligent, competing for the
best marks in school. As a girl she stood first in her class from grades one to ten. Jean’s marks were among the top three in grades 11 and 12 at United College on the University of Winnipeg campus. It was at United College where she met her future husband Ron in 1952. By 1954, Ron and Jean were dating, and they married in 1958.
Jean became a Registered Nurse (R.N.), graduating from the Grace Hospital and making many precious lifelong friends as a
member of Class ‘57B. Her talent for nursing benefitted many, especially her family. She worked diligently at providing a wide
variety of nutritious and beautifully prepared meals, along with delicious baked goods and preserves for her family. She kept a
clean and orderly household. In the true spirit of being a nurse, Jean modelled kindness and compassion, even after her admission to Golden West Centennial Lodge with dementia. Believing she was a nurse in the hospital again, she frequently checked in with other residents and offered them comfort when needed.
Jean and Ron lived in St. James, buying their first little house on Roseberry Street, where they had their daughters Carol and Janice. In 1964, they built a house on Athlone Drive, and along came sons Gordon and Ian. Jean and Ron were members of the congregation at Sturgeon Creek United church, where Jean sometimes taught Sunday school, loved singing hymns and hearing the organ music. On Sundays the family visited ‘Gramma Mac’, Jean’s mother, at her house on Sunset Boulevard and Ron’s parents, ‘Gramma and Grandpa Fin’, Jack and May Finlay, at their house on Scotia Street.
Jean was an avid reader and lifelong learner. She started reading at age five! Later in life, with four children at home, Jean returned to the University of Winnipeg, as a part time, mature student majoring in Psychology and Sociology. In true ‘Jean’ style, she earned the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for attaining the highest average in her Bachelor of Arts graduating class.
Besides walking and hiking, physical activities that Jean enjoyed were Aquasize, yoga and, as an older adult, weight training classes. Jean especially loved ballroom dancing with Ron. They were members of the Westview Dance Club for 25 years, where they had a fun and active social life.
Jean was an environmentalist years before it became popular. She adored nature, animals, birds, insects, and any living thing. She spent hours in her lovely flower gardens, learned how to grow plants from seeds and, along with Ron and the family, tended a large organic vegetable garden.
Jean and Ron planned summer camping trips when the children were young. As the children grew older, the family had a seasonal camp at Spruce Sands for several years. Eventually, they inherited the family cottage at Sandy Hook on Lake Winnipeg. This became Jean’s ‘happy place’ where she loved being on the lakefront. There she faithfully fed the hummingbirds, protected the spiders and happily worked on her many crafts and creative projects.
Jean was an extraordinarily talented creator and crafter. Because of her discerning artistic eye, acute attention to detail, and her ability to start – and finish – projects, Jean excelled at knitting, quilting, and sewing. She custom-made beautiful clothes and household items for her family. Christmases were a time to showcase her handmade wall hangings, ornaments, table linens, aprons, oven mitts, quilted placemats, sweaters, and homemade gifts for her family. Jean was able to follow complex patterns and create original designs and often spent evenings knitting while watching her favourite television programs with Ron.
As a girl, Jean attained her RCM Grade VII piano and developed a passion for classical and jazz music. She instilled the love of music in her children, one who became a professional musician and another who taught piano. Jean loved listening to music and attending live concerts, the theatre, and other arts and cultural events.
Jean also liked traveling. Besides the family holiday trips, she and Ron took trips throughout Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and Mexico. They also enjoyed cruises through the Caribbean, Baltic, and Alaska on various ships. Over the past ten years, Jean became very ill with dementia. She stayed at home for a few years and attended a day program at Deer Lodge Centre. Jean resided at Golden West Centennial Lodge for the last 6½ years of her life, where her family and especially Ron visited almost daily.
The family extends special thanks to the very kind caregivers and staff of Golden West Centennial Lodge, friend Ruth Campbell, companion visitor Brenda Reznik, Dr. Russ Albak and to the team at Deer Lodge Centre.
Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service is planned. The family would be grateful for donations in memory of Jean Finlay to Golden West Centennial Lodge, or to a charity of your choice.