The family of Jean Margaret Loney (Rhodes) is heartbroken to tell of Jean’s passing on December 14, 2021. Jean was a quiet force in the world who cared deeply for her family and friends. She is survived by her beloved husband and sweetie George, daughters Heather and Ali, son-in-law Michael, and grandsons Henry and Duncan. She was born in London, England, in 1946 to Andrew and Alison Rhodes. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, gran, aunt, friend, teacher and artist. Jean worked as a teacher and one of her joys was teaching young children to read. She started teaching in 1971-1972 in North York at Jane and Finch, in a school she truly loved. Jean and George moved to Fergus in 1975 where she would continue teaching at Erin PS, James McQueen PS and spent the majority of her career at Victoria Terrace PS. She loved her family, her garden, coffee, crosswords, reading, mosaics, and 4 o’clock gins on the deck in Nevis. Over the decades spent at their home in Fergus, Jean built her garden up from a mound of dirt into a wonderful oasis in the backyard. She was a reluctant but long-term camper, and while not an enthusiastic sailor, she loved spending time with the family at the lake and sailing club. Jean was a voracious reader and took no prisoners during a game of Scrabble or Banana-grams. One of her favourite things to do while travelling would be to sit drinking coffee and plan out where we would get our next coffee. After retiring from teaching, Jean started a new path as a mosaic artist. It brings us comfort that she lives on through her art, which is out in the community in so many homes. She was a member of multiple book clubs, Grannies of the Grand, the chairperson of the Elora-Fergus Studio Tour for four years, member of the Belwood Sailing Club and Fergus Curling Club, member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists and Society Of Canadian Mosaic Artist, and the artist collective Octarine. In the past few days she has been described by many close to her as a source of light, a force, a true team with Geo and will be remembered for her dry wit, sly humour, generosity and creativity. A small private service will be held for Jean in December and the family will hold a Celebration for Life in the warmer months in Jean’s garden. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jean’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society or Stephen Lewis Foundation.
www.grahamgiddyfh.com