Jean was my lifetime best friend who I loved dearly. She was always there for me as I was for her. We rode our bicycles from sunrise to sunset during our early teenage years and loved listening to all our record albums. She had a crazy sense of humour but the biggest heart. I miss her every single day.

I got to know and become very good friends with Jean as my husband is a resident in Morrison Unit at Brentwood Nursing Home. She was so good to Gerald and he adored her. I spoke to Jean twice a day after the lockdown and I spoke to her for the last time the night before she passed. She was looking forward to hopefully getting back to Morrison very soon. I don’t think any other resident will be missed as much as Jean, she was loved be all. I still shed tears when I think of her.

I just learned of Jean’s passing when speaking with Cath, one of the Health Care  Aides at Brentwood.  I am shocked and very saddened. I had gotten to know Jean because my Dad also resides on the same unit where Jean did. She was always so warm and friendly and had a very caring and honest demeanour. We chatted about many things but it was especially nice when we shared memories of our dear Mothers. In reading all of these tributes to Jean it is very evident that her mark of kindness and compassion was left in our world. Prayers of comfort for her friends and family. 

 Jean is a daughter of a cousin of my dad Norman Fitzsimmons. Her mother Virena Little (Julson) was the daughter of Florence Julson (Harrison), sister to Mary Prudence (Harrison).   I hadn't seen her since we were children, but we always got a Christmas Card of she and her sister Ann and sometimes also of their parents.  Her mother Vi was a graduate of CGH and occasionally I met her at our 5 year reunions.   It is a wonderful tribute from her friends.

My husband John was a resident of the Brentwood Care Centre and lived on the 4th floor ( Morrison Unit) along with Jean. John and I along with our dog Bella would go for walks throughout the facility and we became friends with Jean on one of our excursions. Jean was mobile and could be found all over the centre  enjoying the outdoor courtyard or visiting in the Bistro.  We always went to see Jean and had some good laughs about life in general. John would walk down to Jean's room and have a look at her pictures on the wall and this was something they both enjoyed. Jean would always check on John and was with him during his last few days, I will forever be grateful. I am so sorry that this virus took Jean way before her time, she was a lovely person and will be truly missed.  

Jean was a wonderful friend and I will miss her. We were good friends since high school. I will miss our time we spent together.
She was always glad to see her friends and their pets when they were visiting. She will be missed by all of my family.

I would like to also send my condolences to her sister Ann  and her family. 

Just sitting here thinking of all the happy memories we had together, Grey cups, working at the stampede selling dream home tickets, and many years spent working together at foothills. Our special drives to lunch and all the laughs we have enjoyed. You were the best friend ever. Rest In Peace Jean. Your smiles and laughs we shared will be with me forever. 

I could write a book about Jean’s kindness and the joy she gave me. And I’ve only known her since 2004 when I moved in just a few houses down the laneway from her.  It was my cat, Dory, who introduced me to Jean. Unbeknownst to me, they would rendezvous every morning in Jean’s back garden. Jean loved Dory and Dory loved Jean as did I. Jean would always brighten my day. She was so positive, optimistic, gentle and kind. In 2009 we moved to the Westcoast and I am so happy we kept in touch. Since we had a distant relationship now, I really didn’t know much about Jean’s health as when we spoke on the phone she would talk about happy times with her family, friends, neighbours, birds, gardens, animals and how much she missed Dory.  I really do think Dory missed her as well.  Of course when COVID hit I called Jean to see how she was doing. Again Jean sounded positive and was making the most of the situation even with the lockdown and short staffing situation.  So it was devastating  when Ann called me today to tell me the news of Jean’s passing. I was shocked and still am. What a huge loss for us all. We need more Jeans in this world. I will miss her. Rest in peace Jean.

I am Pattie Copithorne, Jean's cousin, and I would like to share a message to Jean, from the Calgary Stampeders.  I asked our friend Art Froese a former Stampeder, and member of the Alumni to ask the organization to send a letter, and this is what they sent:

"To one of our biggest fans of over 60 years,
Jean, you will be dearly missed!  
You will be in our thoughts and your loved ones in our prayers.  As a loyal and devoted fan we will look forward to feeling your presence once we are back on the field and it will be your cheers from just a little higher up that will continue to give us that extra push to do what the STAMPS do best.

Thank you for your loyalty and may you rest in peace.

Sincerely, Rene Paredes #30 Kicker, on behalf of the Calgary Stampeder Football Club"

I first met Jean as my co-worker and Good Friend at Foothills Hospital in C.S.R- Central Supply Room in  1978. We spent a lot of time together out of work hours.                                                                       
Unfortunately we feel out of touch for awhile after I got married to my husband Bill. 
I'm Very Happy to say that we were able to have time together again and had many a phone conversation since.                                           
I will miss that time very much. We want to extend condolences to the family during this difficult time.
Good-bye my Friend!
Myrna & Bill Hubbard



Jean was a wonderful lady and great friend to my grandma. I will always cherish the fun memories at Calaway Park with Jean and Kathy as well as time spent visiting in her home. I want to extend condolences to the family during this difficult time. Jean will be missed ❤️

On behalf of my mother, Helen, a fellow resident of the Morrison Unit at Brentwood Card Centre, I share my deepest condolences in the loss of this extraordinary woman.  Jean was my lifeline at Brentwood, keeping me posted on how my mom was doing during this time of isolation and confusion and showing great care and compassion for her fellow residents, most of whom have dementia.  I marvelled at her incredible patience and ability to make the best of her situation, living among people who are  many years older than she and not always able to remember from one hour to the next!  She is a true hero and I will never forget her!  Bless you, Jean, you made a huge difference in this world!

I am sad to hear of Jean's passing.  I enjoyed visiting with her at the Brentwood Care Center with my P.A.L.S. dog Buckley.  She was  very happy to visit with the dogs and give them attention, she always said it made her day.   Mary 

Jean was my best friend my entire life. We became friends first through our fathers who were Police Officers, then through our high school years. Jean was like a sister to me and I would have done anything to help her. I loved her spirit, her tenacity, her love of animals. She certainly loved my Miss Mallory. I want to make sure she is remembered not as a statistic but as an amazing woman who was smart and kind and loving. Jean I will miss you forever. I’m happy you are with your Mom and Dad now and are at peace and pain free. Love luv, Noreen

OBITUARY

Jean Little

October 6, 1948 – May 17, 2020

Foster's Garden Chapel Funeral Home & Crematorium

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