It is with heavy hearts and fond memories that we announce the passing of our loving Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, and friend to many. Jean passed peacefully with her family by her side at the age of 75.
Marjorie Jean Boyes, always known as Jean, was born in Winnipeg in 1948 to Rupert and Grace Boyes (nee Minty). Sister Cherie was born in 1950, then Gordon in 1958. That summer the family moved to Port Arthur, now Thunder Bay. Jean graduated from Hammarskjold High School in 1967 and then attended Lakehead University and University of Western Ontario. She enjoyed many summers at the family “camp” on Lake Shebandowan, fishing, swimming, and working at the fishing resort.
After working in family services in northern Manitoba for two years, she moved to Winnipeg in 1975. She worked at Children’s Aid, studied at the University of Manitoba, and received a Masters of Social Work in 1977. Jean then enjoyed a career at the Family Court until 1999, and then at the Manitoba Human Rights Commission until 2007.
In 1981 she married Alfred (Alfie) Dyck, who she adored. The two spent many summers fishing and camping and winters both downhill and cross-country skiing. Emily was born in 1986 and Julia in 1989. As a family they enjoyed many ski trips around Canada, their summers at Shebandowan and many camping trips. Many fond memories are had of singing to Fleetwood Mac and The Traveling Wilburys while making the long drive to “camp” each year. She was incredibly proud of her daughters' accomplishments and loved filling in family and friends of their endeavors.
After retiring from Social Work in 2007, Jean dedicated her time to volunteering with Dalnavert Museum, and was very involved with Nature Manitoba Grey Hares and Good Neighbors Active Living Centre. Jean had a great appreciation for music, literature, and Canadian history. She enjoyed painting pictures flowers and birds, doing yoga, and swimming at The Wellness Centre. A day was not complete without a walk or bike ride, with many stops along the way to identify an interesting bird call or intriguing plant. Evenings were spent enjoying a glass of wine over a board game with Alfie and listening to music.
Jeanie was “the glue” to her many groups of friends. She enjoyed hosting and planning get togethers and always prioritized connecting with her diverse and vast community of friends. She always kept in touch with regular phone calls, handwritten notes, emails and envelopes full of printed photos. She enjoyed cooking special meals for the family and treated everyone to loaves of her banana bread or jars of jelly and pesto.
Jean was fortunate to have spent the last years of her life traveling, skiing, and visiting family and friends. She enjoyed many boat cruises around Europe, a road trip though Scotland, and winter trips to the Carribean, Belize, and the USA to name just a few.
Jean became a grandmother to Sebastien in 2022 which brought her great joy. She loved to take him for walks to the park, pick him up treasures from the thrift store, and sing him their “special song” while dancing in the kitchen.
Jean is predeceased by her parents, Rupert Boyes (1917-2012) and Grace Boyes (1922-2012) and several cousins and friends. She is survived by her sister Cherie and brother Gordie (Karen) of Thunder Bay as well as her husband Alfred, daughters Julia and Emily (Denis), grandson Sebastien, sister-in-law Elly (Bob), nephews Keith, Pat, Justin and Chris, cousins and many friends, and relatives.
The family would like to thank the many hardworking and caring staff at Saint Boniface Hospital, Cardiac Unit. A celebration of life will be planned for the spring and announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice in her honour.
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