Jean Coleman

April 11/31-June 1/25

It is with saddened yet memory-filled hearts that we have said goodbye to our mother, our friend.

Born to Thomas Ross and MaryAnn (Metcalfe) Campbell and having been predeceased by siblings Toots (Ethel), Bride (Bridget), Mary, and John, Mom was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was also predeceased by her brother-in-law, Allister Coleman and her sisters-in-law, Helen and Pat Coleman.

Sadly, Mom said goodbye to her son, Ken, in 2006 and her husband, Gerard, in 2010. She is survived by daughters Lynn (Alan) MacEachern and Janice (David) Ferguson. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Jeff (Marci), Andrea (Trevor), Grant (Cheree), Cole (Caitlyn), and Alex, all who learned you don’t have to stop having fun because you have grown old. Mom also says goodbye to her great grandchildren; Will, Isla, Noah, Katie, Ben, and Rory, who brought such enjoyment to her life-their GG. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Greg Coleman.

To Debbie, Bobby, Darlene, and Allan, thank you for bringing such enjoyment and comfort to Mom’s days, you became an extension of family. Words could not adequately describe the friendship Mom shared with her ‘tea ladies’- we hope you enjoyed her friendship as much as she enjoyed yours. To Cindy, what can be said-you epitomize true friendship. To Drs. Kevin McNeil and Jamie MacLean, and third-floor healthcare workers of the Glace Bay General Hospital, your care, concern, and professionalism could never be quantified.

In life Mom was many things, a founding member of the Glace Bay Artists’ Association, the Glace Bay Garden Club, and the Cape Breton Artists’ Association. She was a realtor, a gardener, and a chef extraordinaire whose bread, pies and midnight meals were second to none. Mom’s strong command of the English language allowed her to master the daily crossword puzzles up until the age of 93 and to inject 50 cent words into her everyday conversations. She was a caregiver, a friend, a confidant, and the life of the party but being ‘mom’ was her favourite.

A listening ear and acts of kindness and acceptance were the special gifts of friendship she brought to her wide circle of friends-friends who will tell you when Mom entered a room, laughter followed. Her ability to find enjoyment in the mundane was innate. She believed that something good came with each day and that life was meant to be celebrated-even its ending.

Mom was spicy and direct, kind and loving, and so very giving. Among the many things she taught us, she taught the importance of kindness and sharing our hearts, to always look to the positive, and to not take life too seriously. We will miss the laughter and closeness we shared and will always long for one more chat, one more hug, one more twinkle from her pretty blue eyes, and

one more ‘me, you, too’ but will be forever grateful for the gift of mom…’look in the mirror, dear child, I am half of who you are.’ Mom blessed us with her love, her laughter, and her zest for life, and it is these things we will carry in our hearts…she really was too young to grow old.

In memory of Mom, please remember that your fingerprints cannot be erased from the little acts of kindness you leave behind.

Please join us on Wednesday, June 11 from 2-3:30 for a celebration of life at T.J. Tracey Funeral Home, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay. 902-849-4199.

To share words of condolences to Jean’s family, please visit our website www.tjtracey.com.