Passed away peacefully on Dec. 1 with her family by her side. She accepted the challenges of ALS with grit, determination and good humour. She is deeply mourned by her husband Dr. Richard J. Julian D.V.M. (married 1954). Also missing her wisdom and love are her children Kathryn (Carl Fletcher), Kirby (Barb) and Stephen (Naida Graham) and grandchildren Jean, Neil (Hailey), Mark (Tiffany) and John Fletcher, Marielle (Tim) Burton, Alanna (Sean Gillespie) and Todd (Tinisha Louks) Julian, and Arden and Maren Julian and six great-grandchildren.
Jean was born on February 13, 1933 in Whitemouth, Manitoba to Fred and Ethel (Cousins) Kirby. Jean is fondly remembered by her brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister.
Jean spent most of her childhood in Kenora. After completing Normal School in North Bay in 1952 she taught in Acton.
After they were married, Jean and Dick lived in Kenora, and then moved to Kemptville, Ontario where their children were born. Following their move to Brighton Ontario in 1961, Jean resumed her teaching career. They spent two years in the West Indies where Dick was working with the Pan-American Health Organization.
Returning to Guelph in 1979, Jean enrolled in and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree.
Jean had a long history of active volunteering with children, church and music.
For many years UNICEF was Jean’s passion, serving on the Guelph committee as a member for over 30 years and chair for 15.
Jean was an active member of the churches in the communities where she lived. At Harcourt Memorial United Church, she chaired the church council, was a member of the board of trustees, and participated on many committees. She was committed to children and young family ministry.
Jean was a committee member and on the Board of the Directors of the Guelph Spring Festival, involved with the River Run Centre and the Kiwanis Music Festival. She volunteered her piano skills in the communities she lived in including the worship services at Homewood, for residents in nursing and retirement homes and the Guelph Male choir.
Over the years, Jean has also been a member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary, College Women’s Club, Third Age Learning, and the Canadian Federation of University Women. In her leisure time she studied piano, knitted, sewed, played bridge, curled, quilted, hiked, traveled and enjoyed cross-country skiing. She was a member of the Book Club and the Textile Arts Group.
Thank you to all the health professionals and care providers who made Jean’s last two years easier. A special thanks to Barbara Smith who was so supportive and to kind neighbours Gay and Louis Christofides.
Jean inspired her family, friends and the community with her kindness, compassion, grace, enthusiasm, leadership, creativity and dedication. A Celebration of the Well-lived Life of Jean Julian will be announced at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, donations to UNICEF, Harcourt Memorial United Church and The ALS Society would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.
A tree will be planted in memory of Jean H. Julian in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.