January 21, 2022 our mum celebrated her 101st birthday. On Tuesday, April 12, 2022 she left us to reunite with her husband Charles M. Richards and daughter Norma Jean Avery along with her siblings Robert Nisbett, Donald Nesbitt (Edna), Joan Hutchison (Alex), Kitty Vipond (Ivit), Dorothy Wildbore (Stan), and her in-laws Kenneth Campbell (Pearl), Cyril Richards (Chris), Everett Richards (Joan), Effie Barnes (Gary), Norman Richards (Dorothy) and many other family members and friends.
She leaves behind her daughter Shirley Miller, son Peter Richards, daughter-in-law Patricia Richards, son-in-law Reg Avery and sister-in-law Eileen Nisbett. Loving grandmother of Sandi DalCin (Rony), Shari Robinson (Gary), Trevor Avery, Jennifer Avery (Greg Hutton), Sean Miller, Colin Richards and Aubrey Richards. Great grandmother of Andrew (Lindsay), Patrick and Michael DalCin, Nicholas and Ben Robinson, and Cameron and Madeline Hutton. Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews from both the Richards and Nisbett families.
In her 101 years, mum witnessed so many changes in the world and had an excellent memory which enabled her to pass her life lessons on to the generations that followed. She worked as a bookkeeper for Hill's Hardware and then Verne's Hardware, where she worked well into her 80's. She was a former Captain with the Girl Guides of Canada, and during the war years participated in the Women's Army Unit (alongside her mother) making socks and mittens for the war effort. Her sewing skills contributed to producing endless costumes for her daughters' dance recitals, and she shared her love of handiwork through her creative and generous distribution of an untold number of handcrafted quilts, afghans and mittens to family and friends. With dad she would patiently sit and listen to her children practicing piano (Norma Jean), folk singing (Shirley) and playing bagpipes (Peter). She was the oldest member of the Pister Sisters - the karaoke sisters who bravely entertained other passengers on their ocean cruises. From her tiny kitchen she produced countless turkey and ham roast dinners for family and friends regardless of the occasion. She was never one to shy away from family get togethers, sing-a-longs and general merriment.
Mum will be remembered for the colourful stories of her past which provided us with perspective and hours of entertainment at family gatherings. She rarely complained or criticized, and would always greet you with a smile and twinkling eyes. The kettle was always on. She will truly be missed.
We thank the amazing staff on the McCarroll Lake unit of Extendicare Maple View for their kind and loving support of mum for the past few years. So very late in life she found new "friends\family" in many of you, and often expressed her fond appreciation of the care she received.
Family and friends may visit at the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East, 705-759-2522) on Monday, April 18, 2022 between 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Funeral service to take place in the Chapel on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 11:00 am, Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Although not required, the family has requested that the wearing of masks would be appreciated. At Jean's request, cremation will take place and she will be laid to rest with her husband at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in mum's memory can be made to the Residents' Council - Extendicare Maple View. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.arthurfuneralhome.com for the Richards family.