Jeannie 1947-2015
Harbourville, Nova Scotia
1. Jeannie loved lists.
- she liked keeping track of things with lists
- she liked reading lists about everything from
"healthiest foods" to "naughtiest royals"to "favourite baby names 1947"
- the side of her fridge always had a list of what I
owed her or what I had borrowed. This was a
good thing that simplified my life.
- the side of her fridge always had a list of what I
owed her or what I had borrowed. This was a
good thing that simplified my life.
2. Jean was well read and well informed.
- she read and absorbed the world's doings
from a broad spectrum of sources
- her opinions took interesting paths across
the landscape of ideas
- most opinions she held, she held strongly
- she enjoyed pith
3. Jeannie was organized
- she didn't think she was organized but
she was
- she always knew where her drill bits were
- come on, I was the perfect foil to her organizational
skills
4. Jeannie loved asparagus and hated brussel sprouts
- she was daring when tasting new foods
- she was a good cook who loved to cook the fresh foods
from the sea and the valley
- I considered some of her creations, potions
- she committed herself to learn so much about nutrition
- she could ignore the rules of good eating when it suited her
- she was a light drinker but knew how to celebrate on the very
odd occasion
- I was concerned I might encounter highly disliked childhood brewers yeast in her food
Thankfully I didn't.
- my mother ignited her interest in healthy eating
5. She could get royally pissed off and didn't hesitate to let the
world know if she saw unfairness
- if you crossed one of her lines her response was not subtle
- she did not back down easily if she knew she was right
- some topics were off limits her children, her dogs, money, etc
6. Jeannie was very private
- to some it seemed she poured herself out into the world
- she kept many of her beliefs and feelings to herself alone
- she had a great interest in religion but kept most of her
conclusions to herself
- she hated dogma of any sort
- she could be one of the most irreverent people I know
- throughout childhood she was a regular attender of Sunday
School at the local United Church
7. Jeannie could be wonderfully bad
- she took delight in raising a little hell, throughout her life
- she did't put much energy into setting a good example
- what others thought of her didn't matter and also
mattered a lot
- with age she was mastering a skill of swearing
8. Jeannie was not as confident as she appeared
- if she was judged unfairly, it hurt her to the quick
- mad sometimes covered sad.
9. Jeannie loved with a great big heart
- her children were at the centre of her loving universe
................ until her grandchildren came along
- her heart had to grow a few sizes
- there was always great love for her many dogs, who
were an integral part of her life
- the real love for her friends though often publicly displayed,
was really glimpsed in subtle ways
10. Jeannie's favourite colour was not a constant
11. Jeannie hated pretension.
12. Early in her life, Jeannie shopped at Holt Renfrews,
but much preferred shopping and wearing her
clothes from Frenchies
- her favourite outfit was flannelette pyjama bottoms and a sweat shirt
- she could dress like she owned the world and like she didn't
have a penny to her name. she was comfortable in both
- she hated most of the clothes her mother picked out for her
- she wore a great big, old raccoon coat in high school and
usually took up two seats on the streetcar (always giving up
her seat to the elderly, infirm and pregnant as was required in the day)
13. Jeannie hated Friday the Thirteenth. Obviously with just cause
14. Jeannie was not a idealogue. She voted all parties, even though Allisons
by tradition, were always to vote conservative
- she once had a great big NDP sign on her lawn
- she worked on Pierre Trudeau's first exciting campaign
- she would have done almost anything to get Harper out
of office
- her forthrightness and spontaneous honesty would have made her
a disasterous politician, but you have to admit it would have been fun to watch
- she took part in an anti Bush march in Halifax
- she always voted and her vote was informed
15. Jeannie could make great big life decisions in a short time. some good, some notso
16. Jeannie blossomed in her life in Harbourville
- the earliest years here were perhaps the happiest of her life
- in time life lost some of its spark
- she felt trapped by the snow in winter
- she wanted to live nearer a hospital
- she spent too much time in her car
- she planned to move into a house beside her son in the near future
- she wanted to spend more time with her grandson
- she excelled as a grandma
- she was in almost daily contact by Skype with her grandson in
in Vancouver. He recognized her
17. Jeannie travelled often throughout her life
- her last big trip was to Newfoundland with a good friend
- most of her future travelling would have been to visit her grandson
in Vancouver
18. Jeannie was not that interested in sports but
- downhill skied for many years
- was a strong swimmer
- seriously practised yoga
- tried all sorts of exercise and exercise machines
- walked her dogs alone and with others
- she enjoyed charity walks
- she played on a school basketball team
19. Jeannie was very interested in keeping well and respected
both traditional and non traditional medicine
- her cupboards held many potions (my term )
- she had great respect and appreciation for her "body people"
(her daughter's term)
20. Jeannie was usually up for an adventure
- she loved "mystery tours"
- Wharf Rat Rally, strawberry suppers, chicken barbecues, fairs,
flower shows, Oaklawn Farm etc. etc. etc.
21. Jeannie LOVED her dogs
- she owned many throughout her life
- they were true companions
- they were all real characters. Some more than others
- for example, Casey pulled a bottle of wine from the counter,
drank it and got royally drunk.
22. Jeannie was generous with her time and money
- spent time with a Little Sister
- volunteered at the local school
- almost learned to bake squares for local events
- donated generously to practical causes both at home and overseas
23. Jeannie enjoyed art
- volunteered at the Art Gallery of Ontario
- always included galleries in her outings
- knew the lingo but didn't use it
- was not a collector, but enjoyed good art around her
- enjoyed making things, but the experience far outweighed the product
- could come up with hilarus impromptu critiques of some work that caught her eye
24. Jeannie loved music
- was in the St. Clement's Choir but was surprised to find herself in The Kings Chorale
- some of the happiest moments were spent singing with the Kings Chorale
- her tastes were eclectic
- Ricky Nelson was her heart throb
- had tickets to the symphony
- was the first adult I knew who kept up with music videos in the 1970's
26. Jeannie loved children
- she opened up so many windows for the multi handicapped children
she taught for many years at a hospital school
- her expectations for all children were the same
27. Jeannie had many happy memories of camping in Algonquin Park
- she claimed she was a nature girl
- her skills in canoeing, camp craft, camp songs, nature lore and "politically
incorrect Indian stories"began at camp
28. Jeannie had a delicious sense of humour
- she was seldom shocked but it did happen
- her wit was quick
- she often laughed at herself, being well aware of her strengths and weaknesses
- she filled lives with her wonderful laugh
29. Jeannie was definitely one of a kind
* may be continued "for there is no end".
the landscape of ideas
- most opinions she held, she held strongly
- she enjoyed pith
3. Jeannie was organized
- she didn't think she was organized but
she was
- she always knew where her drill bits were
- come on, I was the perfect foil to her organizational
skills
4. Jeannie loved asparagus and hated brussel sprouts
- she was daring when tasting new foods
- she was a good cook who loved to cook the fresh foods
from the sea and the valley
- I considered some of her creations, potions
- she committed herself to learn so much about nutrition
- she could ignore the rules of good eating when it suited her
- she was a light drinker but knew how to celebrate on the very
odd occasion
- I was concerned I might encounter highly disliked childhood brewers yeast in her food
Thankfully I didn't.
- my mother ignited her interest in healthy eating
5. She could get royally pissed off and didn't hesitate to let the
world know if she saw unfairness
- if you crossed one of her lines her response was not subtle
- she did not back down easily if she knew she was right
- some topics were off limits her children, her dogs, money, etc
6. Jeannie was very private
- to some it seemed she poured herself out into the world
- she kept many of her beliefs and feelings to herself alone
- she had a great interest in religion but kept most of her
conclusions to herself
- she hated dogma of any sort
- she could be one of the most irreverent people I know
- throughout childhood she was a regular attender of Sunday
School at the local United Church
7. Jeannie could be wonderfully bad
- she took delight in raising a little hell, throughout her life
- she did't put much energy into setting a good example
- what others thought of her didn't matter and also
mattered a lot
- with age she was mastering a skill of swearing
8. Jeannie was not as confident as she appeared
- if she was judged unfairly, it hurt her to the quick
- mad sometimes covered sad.
9. Jeannie loved with a great big heart
- her children were at the centre of her loving universe
................ until her grandchildren came along
- her heart had to grow a few sizes
- there was always great love for her many dogs, who
were an integral part of her life
- the real love for her friends though often publicly displayed,
was really glimpsed in subtle ways
10. Jeannie's favourite colour was not a constant
11. Jeannie hated pretension.
12. Early in her life, Jeannie shopped at Holt Renfrews,
but much preferred shopping and wearing her
clothes from Frenchies
- her favourite outfit was flannelette pyjama bottoms and a sweat shirt
- she could dress like she owned the world and like she didn't
have a penny to her name. she was comfortable in both
- she hated most of the clothes her mother picked out for her
- she wore a great big, old raccoon coat in high school and
usually took up two seats on the streetcar (always giving up
her seat to the elderly, infirm and pregnant as was required in the day)
13. Jeannie hated Friday the Thirteenth. Obviously with just cause
14. Jeannie was not a idealogue. She voted all parties, even though Allisons
by tradition, were always to vote conservative
- she once had a great big NDP sign on her lawn
- she worked on Pierre Trudeau's first exciting campaign
- she would have done almost anything to get Harper out
of office
- her forthrightness and spontaneous honesty would have made her
a disasterous politician, but you have to admit it would have been fun to watch
- she took part in an anti Bush march in Halifax
- she always voted and her vote was informed
15. Jeannie could make great big life decisions in a short time. some good, some notso
16. Jeannie blossomed in her life in Harbourville
- the earliest years here were perhaps the happiest of her life
- in time life lost some of its spark
- she felt trapped by the snow in winter
- she wanted to live nearer a hospital
- she spent too much time in her car
- she planned to move into a house beside her son in the near future
- she wanted to spend more time with her grandson
- she excelled as a grandma
- she was in almost daily contact by Skype with her grandson in
in Vancouver. He recognized her
17. Jeannie travelled often throughout her life
- her last big trip was to Newfoundland with a good friend
- most of her future travelling would have been to visit her grandson
in Vancouver
18. Jeannie was not that interested in sports but
- downhill skied for many years
- was a strong swimmer
- seriously practised yoga
- tried all sorts of exercise and exercise machines
- walked her dogs alone and with others
- she enjoyed charity walks
- she played on a school basketball team
19. Jeannie was very interested in keeping well and respected
both traditional and non traditional medicine
- her cupboards held many potions (my term )
- she had great respect and appreciation for her "body people"
(her daughter's term)
20. Jeannie was usually up for an adventure
- she loved "mystery tours"
- Wharf Rat Rally, strawberry suppers, chicken barbecues, fairs,
flower shows, Oaklawn Farm etc. etc. etc.
21. Jeannie LOVED her dogs
- she owned many throughout her life
- they were true companions
- they were all real characters. Some more than others
- for example, Casey pulled a bottle of wine from the counter,
drank it and got royally drunk.
22. Jeannie was generous with her time and money
- spent time with a Little Sister
- volunteered at the local school
- almost learned to bake squares for local events
- donated generously to practical causes both at home and overseas
23. Jeannie enjoyed art
- volunteered at the Art Gallery of Ontario
- always included galleries in her outings
- knew the lingo but didn't use it
- was not a collector, but enjoyed good art around her
- enjoyed making things, but the experience far outweighed the product
- could come up with hilarus impromptu critiques of some work that caught her eye
24. Jeannie loved music
- was in the St. Clement's Choir but was surprised to find herself in The Kings Chorale
- some of the happiest moments were spent singing with the Kings Chorale
- her tastes were eclectic
- Ricky Nelson was her heart throb
- had tickets to the symphony
- was the first adult I knew who kept up with music videos in the 1970's
26. Jeannie loved children
- she opened up so many windows for the multi handicapped children
she taught for many years at a hospital school
- her expectations for all children were the same
27. Jeannie had many happy memories of camping in Algonquin Park
- she claimed she was a nature girl
- her skills in canoeing, camp craft, camp songs, nature lore and "politically
incorrect Indian stories"began at camp
28. Jeannie had a delicious sense of humour
- she was seldom shocked but it did happen
- her wit was quick
- she often laughed at herself, being well aware of her strengths and weaknesses
- she filled lives with her wonderful laugh
29. Jeannie was definitely one of a kind
* may be continued "for there is no end".
