Jean Parkinson

PARKINSON, Jean – With great love and hearts full of wonderful memories, the family of Jean Parkinson would like to share her passing, at her home at Riverside Glen, on February 2nd, 2025. Jean, in her 98th year, was at peace and content to leave this world.

She knew she would find Warren (2021), her husband of 72 years at the end of this final chapter on her journey. Jean was predeceased by her parents, Ernie and May Hayward, and her sister, Irene Smith. Jean is survived by her five children. Janie (Ken), John (Ginette), Tom (Sandy), Paul (Lynn), and Sue (Kort). She was Grandma to 13 grandchildren: Matthew (Steph), Megan (Brent), Kelly (Darren), Christa (Todd), Lindsay (Matthew), Katelin (Tyler), Jill (Ken), Sarah (Brian), Mary (Dan), Todd (Kortland), Cole (Chloe), Cheyene (Shawn), and Clay (Jessica). Jean’s 18 great grandchildren brought her endless happiness. For GG, there was no greater joy than meeting and cradling the newest baby. GG was adored by Amelia, Ivy, and Penny, Ashlyn and Jacob, Mielle and Ariya, Walker and Ava, Isaac, Eli and Noah, Flora, Hazel and Levi, Charlotte, Etta and Louise. In the not-too-distant future more great grandbabies will learn about GG and will know of the endless love she held close in her heart for every new family member.

Our Mom was a kind and gentle woman. She loved and she gave endlessly and completely to the members of the family she and our Dad built. We could call it a dynasty, but that word would never have been the right one. We are, quite simply, family. And there were friends. Good, good friends. And there was always room for a couple more at our table. Mom was the city girl who became a country wife and she did it splendidly. She was, quite frankly, the friend, the aunt, the Mother, the Grandma, the wife all of us deserve in our lives. She was our Mom. We love her and we will miss her forever.

Mom is at peace now. We love you and we will miss your kindness, your gentleness and your quirky sense of fun that never failed to amaze and amuse all the babies Mom would rock and sing to. Mom, you will be so missed. You will be forever loved.

Warm appreciation to the staff of Riverside Glen and Paramed who contributed to Jean’s heartfelt care and peace. She loved you all being a part of her daily routine. Thank you. You touched her life and ours in ways we will never be able to fully express.  

Further thanks to everyone at Wall-Custance Funeral Home for their support and guidance.

Words from the Mourner’s Kaddish
by Merrit Malloy

When I die, give what’s left of me away to children and to old men that wait to die

And if you need to cry, cry for your brother walking the street beside you.

And when you need me, put your arms around anyone and give them what you need to give to me

Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved.

Love doesn’t die, people do.

So when all that’s left of me is love

give me away.

Cremation has taken place. Private family service will be held when the sun warms our shoulders.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Jean Parkinson in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.