Obituary of Jean Ormston

Ormston (nee Brown), Jean Elizabeth Known to many friends and relatives as “Aunt Jean”, passed peacefully at Hospice Niagara on Tuesday, December 17, 2019. She was five months short of her 100th birthday. Jean was predeceased by her husband Charles “the love of her life”, after sixty-three years of marriage. (March 1, 2002)Jean’s parents were Henry Harold Brown and Florence Beatrice Brown (nee Hobden), and she was predeceased by sisters Kay (Ross Anderson), Ruth (Charles Stevens), Betty (Robert Walker),Frances “Billie” (Roland Stenton) and brother Danny (Evelyn Jenkins). Jean also leaves behind four generations of nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States. Apart from living in Niagara Falls, N.Y.for a short time as a child, after her mother died, Jean was a lifelong resident of St. Catharines. Jean and Charlie lived in various areas of the city and made many friends in their neighbourhoods and workplaces. Jean started working at a young age. She developed her skills as a secretary and bookkeeper with several large companies in St. Catharines and her last workplace was Brock University. Not one to sit idle, Jean became very active in volunteer work, dividing her time over thirty years between the St. Catharines General Hospital Auxiliary,where she was a life member, and Community Care. Jean was a licensed driver, but preferred to get around town on her own two feet. Even in her mid 90’s, she could be found making her way sometimes a mile or more from home. She attributed her health and longevity to keeping active. Jean and Charlie were world travellers before travelling became as common as it is today. They visited all over Europe, Russia, China, Australia, to name a few of their adventures. When they were not flying out of country, they would explore Canada and the USA by car. There was not much of the country they had not seen. During the last ten years of her life, Jean suffered with Macular Degeneration. She lost most of her vision and with that her independence was compromised. Unable to read books, do crafts like paper tole, or watch television, she was determined to keep moving and to participate in activities and outings which included tai chi, and daily exercise classes at the Royal Henley Retirement Community where she resided since July 2017. Audio books sent from the CNIB helped fill the void of her joy “to turn a page” from the many books she borrowed from the St. Catharines Public Library. She made the people close to her appreciate the precious gift of sight. Jean was extremely grateful for the excellent care and attention she received from Dr. Nishan Jayawardene and all the staff from the Royal Henley. When Jean’s health declined she was fortunate to be cared for by the LHIN Palliative Nursing Team and was admitted to Hospice Niagara, The Stabler Centre. Jean was very appreciative for the exceptional care she received in her final days by all the staff and many volunteers she encountered in her final two weeks. Jean especially enjoyed the manicure and hair styling provided by Nursing Student Alison. Special thanks to Nurses Kendra and Melinda for their kindness and support to Jean and our family. You both made a difficult last day easier, and we will be forever grateful. Funeral arrangements have been made with Patrick J. Darte Funeral Chapel, 39 Court Street, St. Catharines. At Jean’s request cremation has taken place. Celebration of Jean’s extraordinary life will take place at a later date. If desired, memorial donations would be appreciated to either the St. Catharines Public Library or the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.