I have nothing but wonderful memories of Jean as we worked together at the Northern Interior Health Unit for a number of years before she retired.  We also golfed together.  Jean always sent a card at Christmas and I loved hearing from her.  May you all find peace and comfort in her memories.   With deepest sympathy. 

ps:  Thank you Karen for the lovely letter and obituary.

Family Away from Family
It is with great sadness I found out about Auntie Jean’s passing. For what it’s worth, she has always been my Auntie and also a family away from family. I remember the first time I met her and Uncle Jim, when Nigel took me to their house to introduce me. How I loved everything about them, and particularly, their British accent 😊. Seriously, though, I loved them because they were my family away from family. There was no weekend passed when we didn’t go and visit when we all lived in Prince George. The kids were born and they knew Auntie Jean and Uncle Jim as their Aunt and Uncle, although technically, they were our kids’ Great Aunt and Great Uncle. It was a lot of joy knowing that we can go visit them as a family, chat, drink a cup of tea and, of course, have a cookie. The kids could always count on ginger snaps and chocolate chip cookies being passed around in a tin and didn’t dare to loose a crumb. But the most favourite of all our desserts made by Auntie Jean was her famous Black Forest cake with cherries on top! 
We missed them when they went away in winter and we were always happy to see them back in spring, listening to their stories about living in a camper in Arizona, golfing and Mexican-style food, among other things. When Jim and Jean moved to Sunshine Coast we tried to visit as often as we could and had a good time sitting on the porch, looking at Auntie Jean’s flowers and garden gnomes and having same good old chocolate chip cookies.   
Ashcroft was a new adventure for Jean and Jim. We knew they wanted to be with their whole family and again visited when we could. Perhaps, not as often as we would like to, but always felt being welcome and hosted with love. In between visits, Nigel and I dialed the number and talked away a few times a month. They were special evenings. 
I wish I had one more conversation, one more visit, one more laugh, one more piece of cake with Auntie Jean…Rest in peace, dear Auntie!


I can recall many a summer's day spent with my my nan searching for the ever elusive four leaf clovers or evenings where she would easily remind me who not to mess with when we'd play a game of crib. I will forever treasure  holidays, camping and fishing and even times where I'd just fall asleep on that forever being vaccumed, thick red carpet in front of the mantle. Thank you nan for all the good times and wonderful memories that I can share with my family now. 

I am sorry for your loss and thank you for sending me news of Jean's passing. Jean was rock solid, personable, encouraging, enthusiastic, and an uplifting person to be with.  Jean loved her family. Jean and Jim; and Jim and Jean; a true partnership for life, and a fountain of strength for their family.  I was a co-worker of Jean's at the health unit in Prince George where we became friends. I enjoyed our correspondence which is how our friendship continued upon our moving away after a decade in Prince George.  

So sorry to hear of Jean's passing. I remember well her involvement in our get togethers and I do know she will be missed.  

Terry Burgess  BC Govt Retired Employees.

I really like this passage and wanted to share it with you at this time.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not cry.
                                                     Anon

From sister-in-law Barbara Stalker (nee Bowden)
Chris, David, Tricia and DIanne (nieces and nephew)

So sad to hear the passing of Auntie Jean.Sending our love to you all and you are  in our thoughts and prayers. 
With love Dianne, David, Molly, Louis and Zach x

In the week since Mum's passing, I have been reminded of the special memory of Mum seeking four leaf clovers. They were a lucky sign for her and I remember many times when she would stop at a patch of clover and search out the elusive one with four leaves. In her personal papers I keep coming across them, taped to pages with dates of finding. I have stopped at clover patches a number of times this past week and thought of Mum. In sharing this memory, it is my hope that you too, will stop and search a few clover patches in memory of Mum, and make a wish over your own four leaf clover discovery. 

OBITUARY

Jean Bowden

13 January, 1933 – 8 June, 2023

Schoening Funeral Service

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