Jeannette Elizabeth Tootell

It is with great shock and overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of our mum on Friday, April 2nd, 2021. Jeanettte was born in South Cayuga to James and Frances Cossar on May 19, 1939 and raised on the farm alongside her brother Charlie and sister Edith. At the age of 16, after graduating from high school, mum moved to the “big city” of Hamilton, and into the YMCA. There she met a woman who would become a dear friend and would take her to Wentworth Baptist Church for the first time. Mum has worshipped with her faith family at Wentworth for over 65 years. It was through Wentworth and Hamilton Baptist Youth that she made dear friends who have lasted her lifetime, and ultimately, our dad, Clifford. Mum and dad were married on April 23 ,1960, beginning a partnership that would last 52 years, until dad passed in 2012. She was a proud Artillery spouse, and supported dad’s role in the regiment , while, forming lifelong friendships with the other members of “The Three Musketeers”. Mum worked as a secretary in the Pigott Building up until us the kids came along, then became a stay home mom for the next 20 years. However, she wasn’t idle once we started school! Jeannette was a reading buddy at school, and went on all the school trips. She baked our family’s bread and cookies, and was always there when we got home from school. Around 1976, she started doing up the church bulletin every week-a job that morphed into becoming each pastor’s Girl Friday and sounding board – a role she maintained for 35 years.

When Alzheimer’s hit our family with our grandma’s diagnosis in 1982, mum stepped into the information and assistance void in the city, and the Alzheimer Society of Hamilton started in our basement. By 1985, she was assisting to open Alzheimer office, and stayed on until her retirement, then volunteered by facilitating care-giver support groups. Mum’s life centered around family, faith, and service. She loved greeting every new niece and nephew , then great-nieces and nephews, but never got to be a grandma. Until one special little girl, Jordan, titled mum and dad as NanaPapaToots”. It was a title mum was honoured to carry, and has continued to all the littles at church, too!! Jeannette is survived by her brothers-in-law Chris Tootell (Carole) and John Greenfield(Erna), many nieces and nephews and grands, the extended Cossar Clan, and of course, us –Gavin and Sheila. We know mum’s life and work touched many lives, and she will be missed, but for those of us who had the privilege of being loved by her, the loss seems insurmountable. Although we cannot all be together at this time, please know we will have a Celebration of our amazing mum’s life as soon as COVD restrictions are lifted.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Cresmount Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place and a small family service will occur. In lieu of flowers, Jeannette asked that people donate to her favorite charity, The Alzheimer Society, or to her faith community, Wentworth Baptist Church 120 Wentworth St N, Hamilton L8L 5V7.