Jennifer Campbell

Jennifer was born on November 12, 1953, in Wolseley, Saskatchewan.

She is survived by her loving husband Ron Campbell children: Cheryl (Sean), Jodi (Paul), Shaun (Kat), Stephanie and Courtney (Chris) and her grandchildren: Hailey, Hanna, Ava, Will, Quinn and Lenni.

A graveside ceremony was held in Ellisboro Cemetery on June 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon followed in the Family Nine Clubhouse in Katepwa.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family if so wishing, may make a donation in memoriam to The Huntington’s Society of Canada, 20 Erb St. W, Suite 801, Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2.

Eulogy by Cheryl Cummings

Jennifer Campbell was a force of nature and I miss her every single day.

Jennifer was a young farm wife, who’s Mother-in-law taught her how to run a farm, garden, can, bake and cook.

She and Dad struggled to raise a family on the farm during some of the hardest times, some of the best of times and everything in between.

She loved Elvis. I remember when the announcement that he had died came over the radio, that Dad had to pull the truck over because she was so upset!

There is a medley of his songs running through my head right now; all the songs that Mom played all time. Christmas at our house still starts with White Christmas!

We had a huge cabinet stereo on the form and there was always music on. Then we started playing piano and the house changed from Elvis and the Bee Gees to classical music.

“Practice!” she’d holler – and I’d stomp off and play very angrily. Then she’d yell “Not like that!”

Each of us have stories about her. She was the one always getting the meal together or getting things ready. Finding a picture of her sitting down was a challenge! I know I posted one of her in her housecoat, but she’ll have to forgive me for that. Plus, you’ve all been there in morning for coffee and already seen her in it!

The coffee was on at the Campbell kitchen all the time. Mom’s love language was making sure everyone was feed and watered.

Having a visit with Auntie Donna and trading paperback novels, especially in the fall during the harvest when she was driving the grain truck.

She loved baking! Coming home from school and having donuts, buns or souffle – which she made with cheese whiz and it worked out perfectly every time. Although we couldn’t run around the house until it was done.

Christmas cookies every year with Aunt Mary’s cookies or sesame street sugar cookies, they are still the best ones!

Learning to make plum pickles, sour cabbage rolls and cinnamon buns!

Mom wanted to make a difference. She hosted pool parties for the end of the school year. Good thing mom reminded me that I had a grade 12 final to write instead of hanging out having fun with one of the kid’s school groups.

Taking care of the old folks: Uncle Norm, Mrs. Isman, Grandma Moss, Aunt Rosina and Grandpa and Grandma Dunn. She always made sure that they were included and involved.

Running for schoolboard to help the kid’s education. When she felt she could make a change, she did. I like to think she passed that onto us.

Camping – she could pack that trailer in an hour and be on the road.

Norwig’s, Willoughby’s, Dunn’s and us went on yearly camping trips for many years – no internet had to call and of course became friends with the front office folks at Madge Lake because she called year after year.

I remember her and Glen Willoughby walking into the McDonald’s in Yorkton and the people counting all 14 kids with the two adults!

She loved hearing about nursing once I started school. She always came to tour my workplace and the simulation lab when I started there. She had nursing alumni sweatshirts from the 90s onward!

Roses – she’d get injured Dad would her buy roses. We were chasing cows on foot in the hill of the valley. There was much shouting and strong language and when Mom went to jump the fence, she shorted it and cut her leg. Dad took her to town and she got three stitches and a dozen roses. Us kids still there running did Not get roses afterwards.

She loved her family – loved showing people pictures of them on the digital frame and talking about their achievements – or just what they were up to! Dancing, soccer, school, baseball, or volleyball.

When I moved to Calgary for Y2K and was so incredibly homesick when I got there – she talked to me on the phone for 4 hours at a time for almost 10 days, making good use of the unlimited long distance after 6 pm that had just come into fashion…

She told me later that she had given me one more day to turn it around or she was coming to Calgary to get me.

When I met my husband Sean and told Mom about him, she came out to stay with me and meet him. Mom called me after and said “he’s the one, right?” She was right that time too.

Mom loved to travel and her favorite place was Disneyland. We cannot count how many times she went, but she started going when her Auntie Thelma and Uncle Herb moved there and continued for as long as she was able.

First travel away trip was to Hawaii followed by many more trips - tours to Europe and the Caribbean, and cruises.

Mom displayed immense bravery throughout the last years of her life.

It could never take away her kindness, her resilience, or the love she held for our family.

I am eternally grateful for the chance to see Mom just days before she passed away. She set up lunch for us together in the dining room overlooking the lake. I will always cherish this memory.

She often told me that she didn’t feel sorry for herself and that I shouldn’t either. I will love and miss you every day. Now you can lay your burdens down.