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John Goy posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Thank you for sharing Jean's photos and an account of her service.
When you read the eulogy it seems that there was not a corner of her world that Jean did not touch. It is interesting how she took early years experiences from school and turned them into life long activities. I recalled with Jean one day her experiences in the St Catherines, Niagara on the Lake area at the Farmerette camp and the ride home with the Policeman. My folks would take rides down through the farming area of the Niagara Peninsula when I was a little boy, we would often find the Farmerette camp buildings. Truly they were a great experience for the girls, I would think. Life shared with several others, fulfilling a responsibility to the farmer and to the consumer.
One thing certain Jean will find comfort with Russell and with Sheila after all that she has endured here on earth.
Jean has had a great send off to end a great presence here on earth, I am confident that God will bless and keep her.
Best regards, John Goy
K
Karen posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The picture on the memorial program is so lovely. A lovely picture of Jean from around the time I met her.
And in the water, with Taffy!!!!
Her hair was so thick that blackflies used to get caught in it! She would try to dig them out with her index finger, but since she was always cutting the grass or pulling weeds or sewing or pickling beets, her hands were always dirty and then there would be a funny dirt or beet spot on her white thick hair.
When my Mom tried to overdose, I got that call from Lady Minto Hospital, I was in Jean's kitchen. I remember sitting on the lineoleum after. She (Kim Skidmore) had a very fierce, powerful direct massive hug. That morning, she hugged me, and said nothing much (she didn't blather on with platitudes), and gave me the car keys. To her Oldsmobile. Then she said (and she meant it, she always spoke so sincerely and directly): "Just come back when you can. I don't need the car. Russ has another one. Go look after your little sister. She will need you right now." Jean was like that: if you were in need she would give you exactly what you needed, but even err on the side of giving you more than you needed. It made things better. After that I was so screwed up she told me I could live at the cottage by the lake. She let me take her car whenever I wanted to, to be able to be free, and go where I was comfortable. I would drive out there often very late at night, after I was done my work at school (or the ONR or at the restaurant) and after everything was calm at 314 Fifth Ave...just to have a quiet sleep alone by the lake. She left me alone but was always just up the road and if I dropped in I would get that fierce hug, and a sandwich (she made homemade bread and killer roast ham, turkey, pickles) and a cup of tea in fine bone china. She knew how to make a very good good life with what was around her: to make everything orderly and beautiful and functional, but she never ever boasted or showed off. She drank tea like that because, truth be told, tea is better (hotter and tastier) in those kind of cups!! That is the kind of thing I learned from her: discern. Live simply, don't clutter up your life, and yet choose everything wisely. Give people what they need: even throw in a little extra but don't make a big show of it.
The funniest and most inspirational thing of all was when she and Russ bought Birchhill (used to be a public park), and they planned to build a house down there. They were living in a nice plain 4-square farmhouse on the main Brower Road. (Next to the Haapaniemis). So they bought the land and put a house trailer on it, to live in while they built. But they loved the trailer so much that they stayed in it for ten years!!! It was warm and snug and practical. Jean said: "Less vacuuming! More time for swims!" She put in a garden right in front. Tonnes of rhubarb. It had the most amazing raspberry patch. She and I picked buckets and buckets of them. (The blackflies were so thick we put vinegar rags around our necks (Granma Eva told us to do that) and also smudges all around the perimeter. Taffy was with us. Everyone who knew her got to taste her world-famous raspberry pie. It could not be beat. It was the sheer number of berries she put in, but also her love of the berries got in there. They built a sauna. It was a good one. We had so many saunas. Russ would go down almost every night after dinner and light the fire. We would go down after. It is where I got my love for the *steam*.
She worked extremely hard, alongside everyone, men and women, young and old. Even when she was the owner. She never whined about hard work. She was practical and smart. And she was so kind to everyone. I remember she fought to be able to give the Native people from the nearby reserve work at Birchill when it was a tree nursery. I remember grumblings in town that it was a bad idea but she held her ground. She was right! Then she bragged about how good the elder women were as seeding. Super seeders. Faster than any of the younger people, white or Cree.
This morning I am drinking tea from a bone china cup, and packing for Helsinki where I am going to take many saunas. I have to get out and pick rhubarb before I go, get it in the freezer. The last few days we have been moving houses. Hucking boxes, hauling mattresses, cleaning stoves. My boyfriend, who is a plumber and a gas fitter is looking for an apprentice. He said last night: "Honestly, Karen. You work harder than any of the others I'm trying out!"
Lots in me comes from Jean, who really did step up and offer to be a substitute maman for me when things were not very sane in our house. I feel such immense gratitude toward her for that, and have since the mid 80's. It makes me deeply happy to know that she knew that, and right to the end.
All my love, Karen
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Gail Andrews-Becker, of North Bay posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
I am honoured to speak in memory the late JEAN SKIDMORE. I am Gail Andrews-Becker. My dad Charles Andrews and Jean's mom Margaret were brother and sister.
Jean was always special; to me all of my life, Jean and her sister Sheila had taken me to Brower when I was very little. She said that they would have kept me but my parents came and took me back to New Liskeard. We spent many summers visiting our Aunt Margaret, Uncle Enoch and our cousins Claude, Ted Sheila Jean Lorne Ralph and Ethel in Brower. We just loved it out on the farm and at the lake. They would watch us and the lake when we went swimming, hiking in the bush, cranberry and blueberry picking, farm chores etc. Just a few months ago Jean and I talked about eh many walks that we took to the little crowded McCartney store and the end of Nelson Road. If you couldn't find something Mr. McCartney would get it somewhere in the store. He had everything. Great fond memoires.
We've always kept in touch with each other either my visiting or correspondence as Jean loved to write letters. She never wanted to learn to write letters on computers. When our daughter moved to Cochrane in 1996 we always visited them whenever we were up so letters stopped coming. We often went out to their beautiful home on the lake in which she just adored as she loved the water and quietness of the country. She hated the bears visiting. Naturally, she was an avid gardener as her yard was so gorgeous.
I have to share this story about Jean being stopped by the Cochrane Police, as it is precious and such a great memory of Jean.
Several years ago just the before Christmas, Jean told us that she was driving down a street and she was going form one side to the other. She looked out her rearview mirror and a policeman had his lights on and got her to pull over. The policeman gets out of his cruiser and said "Mrs Skidmore have you been drinking?" (I have never seen her drink except tea.) She was insulted. The moral of the story is she told the police that she was just looking at he Christmas Lights. The policeman told her to stay on her own side of the street whenever she is out cruising. My husband teased her about this for many years. He offered to give her our car so she could go and look at the Christmas lights here in North Bay this past December. She chuckled and he GOT TOLD.
Jean loved it here in Callander with her daughter Judy. She would sit at the big picture window and watch all the fishermen out on the lake and the sunsets. She thanked us many times for coming to Judy's for a meal with my brother Garry, sister-in-law Joyanne and naturally my husband David as she loved company.
Mind you, she was in the hospital off and on due to her failing health but as soon as she got better out she came. It was expected as she was 85 years old.
I spent a whole weekend as Judy and Phil had to go to Phil's dad's funeral in England. We had such an enjoyable time just reminiscing the past and all the special family gatherings over many years
Thank you Judy and Phil as you both took such good care of her and I am so grateful that I had a chance to spend time with Jean in final days here in North Bay and Callander. I know we are all going to miss her especially Judy, Jane and Glen but life goes on but memories stay forever. She is suffering no more and will be joining her dear husband Russell, son Rodney and her other relatives at the Birchill Cemetery in Brower.
So long my cousin Jean as your Uncle Charlie would say.
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Wendy (Skidmore) posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
So sorry to hear about your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. With love, Wendy (Skidmore)
J
Judy Skidmore posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Jean loved her family and the memory of her wonderful husband of 51 years Russell, until her last breath.
Her longest love was her big sister Sheila, four years older than Jean, who was with her until last August. Jean sat with Sheila and helped her big sister leave the world before her. They grew up together, helping one another from milking cows, to pitching hay with brother Claude to looking after the Andrews cousins in New Liskeard.
Jean was born January 30,1928 the third of a family of seven. Her father mistakenly recorded the official date of her birth, and her mother assured her it was in fact January 31. She was the third of seven children. Their first home was previously a chicken coup. Jean's mom Margaret sustained the family and acted as midwife for the community 10 miles east of Cochrane and the Abitibi River. Her father was a settler and farmer.
She walked a couple of miles to school every day with her brothers and sister. She said she would run home every night to tell her mom about the day, before her older brother and sister had a chance to tell.
Jean took that story telling ability to writing and was a reporter on Brower, Dunning and Kennedy communities, for the Cochrane Northland Post for many years.
After supper she would tell her children tales of growing up on the lake, playing hooky, smoking, and nearly drowning a couple of playmates, and warned against it all.
Her book with tales of growing up remains unfinished. There are probably reports there too of her days at Farmerette Camp with Sheila during the War, and her career at Greenwoods restaurant in New Liskeard and at Stedmans in Cochrane.
Jean and Sheila married brothers Russell and George, and each had two girls and two boys. Jean had Judith, Janie, Rodney and Glen. There are now grandchildren Graham, Lynn, Amy, and Hayley and greatgranddaughter Eve.
Rodney predeceased his mother in 1980. Jean and Sheila lived through the days of the family logging camps, bush and construction. Jean did the bookkeeping for the business and had no fear of the visiting government auditor for which she and Sheila traded strategies.
Jean had wonderful vegetable gardens to provide for her excellent kitchen.
She kept chickens and tended cows in the back yard for a few years. An experiment with a goat, more as a pet than for dinner, lasted only a few weeks, until it ate her houseplants in the living room.
The gardening included banks of flowers, and shrubs. When most are retiring Jean completed a Master Gardener program.
In the community Jean served as president and treasurer of the Women's Institute, the Home and School association, and the Anglican Church Women.
For years she and neighbour and best friend Vera held 4H courses for the girls in the community. Jean and Vera could sew anything and design beautiful multi-tier wedding cakes.
Jean was in love with life. Hard work and long walks to school gave her the strength to sustain Addison's disease and treatment for 45 years, longer than any other record. She endured unbelievable adversity at the end. And she appreciated any assistance particularly if it was served as a good meal, with famous raspberry pies.
So many will miss Jean. Good wishes in her final days came to her from England and Brazil and across Canada and the United States during her illness.
She is now at peace with Russell and Rodney and Sheila.
P
Pat & Gerry Constantin posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Dear friends, So sorry for your loss But you are right she is in a better place no Sincerely Pat&Gerry Constantin
C
Cathy and Gary Horton of Connecticut posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Hope you are okay. Very tough time to go through when you lose your Mom. Again we're very sorry. Hope this weather stays nice for you. Take care and have a safe trip.
B
Bun and Rita posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
We are very sorry to hear of your loss, we will be thinking of you.
G
Gary posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Wendy forwarded your message. So sorry. I know you've had a difficult time these last few months but I'm sure Jean was more at peace with you. I may not be able to attend a service but you can be sure I'll visit Jean at Birchill. Thinking of you
C
Catherine & Spark posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Dear Judy; I'm so sorry, we all send our condolences, and love, will try to get to her funeral. With much love Catherine & Spark
G
George & Claire Fisher posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
We were very sad when Barb called to tell us of Aunt Jean’s passing. In our daily lives, we often think of past events, and remember the happy times, and even the sad ones, but a death brings them all crystal clear. She will be missed. Our sincere sympathies. Please also convey this to Lynn, Graham and Hayley. Love from all our family. George & Claire Fisher.
F
Family Friend posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Sorry to hear the news regarding your Mom. I know my Folks esp. my Mom will miss her...so much history and good friends. If there is an opportunity to visit this summer I will bring the Folks. Lots of Love Sparkie
C
Cindy McGann posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. Just when her life was becoming more settled and she was getting to "a good place" (both physically and mentally). I hope you can take some comfort in knowing that you did all that you could for her these last few months. Judy and Phil - I had been speaking with Dad and Claire about the reunion at your place this summer and was planning to attend. I was so looking forward to seeing all of you but especially my birthday twin. Over the years, Dad always made a point of sharing her wonderful letters to him with me. I so loved reading them and hearing about all of your adventures. She was a wonderful writer and such a gracious host; my fondest memories of her are at the Lake, in her garden, smiling and laughing. To this day, when I tell people about the summers we spent staying with all of you at Brower, I smile. It is because of your Mom (and Dad) that I developed a love and appreciation for all that is "Northern Ontario". You have my deepest sympathies. With Love, Cindy McGann
A
Anne and Rob posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Judy; So sorry to hear about your mum. Anna&Rob
A
Anne Massicotte posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Judy, I am so sorry for your loss, your mom is a very special lady and a true blessing to have such a caring daughter as yourself. My thoughts are with you, I wish you well and peace.
J
Jack posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Hi Judy, Just got back to Ottawa and got your message. Our deepest condolences to you, Phil and all your family. So glad your Mom was able to spend her last months with you and Phil where she received the loving care she deserved. Shirley is still in London helping with her Mothers estate. The funeral was Friday. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jack
G
Gail Andrews-Becker, of North Bay posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
I am honoured to speak in memory the late JEAN SKIDMORE. I am Gail Andrews-Becker. My dad Charles Andrews and Jean’s mom Margaret were brother and sister. Jean was always special; to me all of my life, Jean and her sister Sheila had taken me to Brower when I was very little. She said that they would have kept me but my parents came and took me back to New Liskeard. We spent many summers visiting our Aunt Margaret, Uncle Enoch and our cousins Claude, Ted Sheila Jean Lorne Ralph and Ethel in Brower. We just loved it out on the farm and at the lake. They would watch us and the lake when we went swimming, hiking in the bush, cranberry and blueberry picking, farm chores etc. Just a few months ago Jean and I talked about eh many walks that we took to the little crowded McCartney store and the end of Nelson Road. If you couldn’t find something Mr. McCartney would get it somewhere in the store. He had everything. Great fond memoires. We’ve always kept in touch with each other either my visiting or correspondence as Jean loved to write letters. She never wanted to learn to write letters on computers. When our daughter moved to Cochrane in 1996 we always visited them whenever we were up so letters stopped coming. We often went out to their beautiful home on the lake in which she just adored as she loved the water and quietness of the country. She hated the bears visiting. Naturally, she was an avid gardener as her yard was so gorgeous. I have to share this story about Jean being stopped by the Cochrane Police, as it is precious and such a great memory of Jean. Several years ago just the before Christmas, Jean told us that she was driving down a street and she was going form one side to the other. She looked out her rearview mirror and a policeman had his lights on and got her to pull over. The policeman gets out of his cruiser and said “Mrs Skidmore have you been drinking?” (I have never seen her drink except tea.) She was insulted. The moral of the story is she told the police that she was just looking at he Christmas Lights. The policeman told her to stay on her own side of the street whenever she is out cruising. My husband teased her about this for many years. He offered to give her our car so she could go and look at the Christmas lights here in North Bay this past December. She chuckled and he GOT TOLD. Jean loved it here in Callander with her daughter Judy. She would sit at the big picture window and watch all the fishermen out on the lake and the sunsets. She thanked us many times for coming to Judy’s for a meal with my brother Garry, sister-in-law Joyanne and naturally my husband David as she loved company. Mind you, she was in the hospital off and on due to her failing health but as soon as she got better out she came. It was expected as she was 85 years old. I spent a whole weekend as Judy and Phil had to go to Phil’s dad’s funeral in England. We had such an enjoyable time just reminiscing the past and all the special family gatherings over many years Thank you Judy and Phil as you both took such good care of her and I am so grateful that I had a chance to spend time with Jean in final days here in North Bay and Callander. I know we are all going to miss her especially Judy, Jane and Glen but life goes on but memories stay forever. She is suffering no more and will be joining her dear husband Russell, son Rodney and her other relatives at the Birchill Cemetery in Brower. So long my cousin Jean as your Uncle Charlie would say.
J
Jennifer Jeans and Garland Jennings posted a condolence
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Judy, Phil, Graham and Lynn, We are thinking of you at this time and trust your wonderful memories of Jean help you through the days and months to come.
K
Karen Houle posted a condolence
Monday, May 13, 2013
I met Russ and Jean in 1983, through Glen, and stayed in touch with Jean through all these years. She was a role model for me. I don't think I have ever met such a generous, straightforward, compassionate, decent human being. I think about her every day. I send all the Skidmores (and the Nelsons) a great big hug, and my deepest sympathies for their loss.
