Elease Elizabeth John

After a Courageous but short battle with cancer, it is with heavy hearts and sorrow that we the family, announce the passing of our beloved Elease Elizabeth John, on Monday, November 14th, 2016. She left the pain of this world behind and slipped away peacefully at home with her husband and daughter by her side. Jesus heard her calling, and sent forth her angels to carry her to Heaven.

Elease is survived by her husband Craig Carruthers, daughter Jyneece Mayers, and her first husband Glen Peter Mayers, also by her father Thomas John of Mayaro, Trinidad; brothers Phillip Brown, Breasley; Ossie and Joel John and sister Elsie Marchan. Brother-in-law Gregory Marchan; Sister-in-laws Rosanne John; Leslie Ann John; Lauren Thomas and Crystal Browne. Nieces Onella Brown; Georgia John; Dareece John; Jyzene Marchan and Kai John. Nephews Sheldon Brown; Avery O’Connor; Darick John; Darnell John; Jezer Marchan; Jydell Marchan and Phillip Brown Jr.

She was predeceased by her mother Felicia Ucilla Mary John (nee Brown) who passed away recently on September 22nd, 2016.

Elease was born on March 6th, 1969 in Radix Village Mayaro, Trinidad West Indies. At the age of nine, she was involved in a vehicular accident and almost died. She spent months recovering in hospital and it was there the doctors discovered she had a brittle bone condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta. It was a life altering experience. She then became mobilized using a pair of crutches. She pushed forward more determined then ever, by finishing school and eventually gained employment. While working, she became enrolled at the University of The West Indies. She married, and later got divorced. From that marriage though, came her beautiful daughter Jyneece, later to be know as her Princess “J”. Jyneece was actually born on Elease’s birthday, which was a wonderful blessing. She met her future husband Craig, in a chat room on the internet in late 2001. They instantly had a special connection. Craig flew to meet her in Trinidad in early 2002. Elease and her daughter then moved to Truro, Nova Scotia Canada in June of that year, to start their new life with Craig. It was a struggle in the beginning for Elease and Jyneece to adjust to their new life in Canada, but eventually found their footings.

Elease loved nature, and seen the beauty of God’s creations in all things around her. Her husband Craig, daughter Jyneece and even her cat Butterscotch are what kept her happy in life. She loved cooking yummy Caribbean meals or baking delightful deserts. Elease loved to read, write, and even completed writing a book that she was working on getting published. Writing Poetry was also another interest she had for many years. Church was very important to her. She was a Seventh Day Adventist. Her strong connection to Jesus is what kept her going through challenging times in life, and she was even a youth leader in her church back home in Trinidad. She embraced family and friends and kept them close. She would always want to try and help the less fortunate, by giving some change to homeless people, that's just the type of person she was. Her fun and spunky personality is what drew people to her. She loved to laugh and be silly at times which made her exciting to be around. It was her positive and caring attitude though, that was her strength in life. She loved to travel, go to the beach, watch movies with family, and to dress up nicely with her matching attire. Then it was picture time! She loved getting some pictures taken, even just before leaving the house. She loved listening to music and singing. She cherished her Karaoke machine which she received for Christmas one year. In her free time, she could be seen playing Scrabble on line. She loved words and would love challenging others.

Life was good. Elease worked at some call centers, then with the Royal Bank of Canada, but it wasn’t what she wanted. So, in the summer of 2011, after receiving a government job opportunity in another province, the family decided to relocate to Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was employed with the Manitoba government for a short time, until one day during a fire evacuation, she sustained a work place injury and fractured her left hip. Her life changed after that, and was never able to return to the work she loved. Because of her brittle bone condition, her hip never did heal as a normal one would. Lots of pain persisted, along with sadness and frustration.

Elease’s education in Trinidad included attending the Daniell Educational Community Computer Awareness Programme. She moved on to complete a course with The Pitman Examinations Institute and graduated with advanced First Class in typing. She then became interested in broadcasting, and enrolled with the Institute of Broadcasting Careers. She completed the programme and went on to work with a local radio station writing and voicing radio commercials. She then took a big step forward and enrolled at the University of The West Indies. There she graduated with a certificate in Public Administration and Psychology, and was also enrolled with the Social Work Degree programme.

Her professional career began with her first job working for Eastern Divers Company Ltd, in Trinidad. There she held the position of Secretary for a period of five years. She then challenged her self more, and began working for the Ministry of Finance as secretary for one year, and then transferred over to the Ministry of Education for the government of Trinidad and Tobago. After that, she moved on to work for the National Centre for Persons with a Disability (NCPD) She was employed there as a practice instructor. She loved working there and helping others with disabilities. Her next big thing for her career was when she took on the position of Administrative Assistant with the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs. She excelled in this roll and was proud of it. She was employed there for three years, until 2002.

Elease, you will forever be missed by your many family and friends from back home in Trinidad, the United States, and of course here in Canada. Your gracious personality was always a blessing to anyone who knew you. You may be gone, but never forgotten. You left your unique mark here on this earth, and that will never change. You will forever be missed, and always in our hearts and in our thoughts. We love you.

A Celebration of Elease’s life will be held on Friday, November 25 at 2:00 pm at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, Winnipeg MB.

The family would like to thank the wonderful Palliative care team that helped manage Elease’s symptoms over the past few months. There were many difficult days, and their thoughtfulness and caring personalities made things a little easier. We’re forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba, at 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0V9