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“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved

we can never lose, for all that we love deeply

becomes part of us.”

— Helen Keller

Jean “Auntie Jean” Steele of Hull, England, born on Sept. 28, 1934,  passed away peacefully on April 18, 2022 at Fairvern Nursing Home to be reunited with Robert “Uncle Bobby” Steele (predeceased Dec. 16, 2009). Jean was also predeceased by: parents Joseph (Joe) W. Brown & Iris (Johnson); and sister, Sheila (Jim) Small.

Auntie Jean will be truly missed by: Carolynn (Andy) MacKay, Jeff (Kim) Small and great nieces & nephew, Samantha, Connor and Sophie; and by her dear friend Joyce Terrill.

Jean was born in Hull, England and an older sister to Sheila. In February 1948, Iris and her daughters boarded the Ascania to come to Canada to meet up with Joe in Toronto. Jean was a free spirit and loved adventures. In 1957 Jean moved to New York City to take a job in reservations with American Airlines. She met Robert through a colleague, Rob’s sister, and they married in April 1958. They moved to Hauppauge on Long Island where they lived until 1994. Jean loved to be active, teaching downhill skiing, ran 3 New York Marathons in the 1980s, playing tennis, bike rides, to name a few. Jean and Rob skied at Killington in Vermont for many years. Even into her late 70s, she would be seen at the YMCA doing Zumba classes. Jean was delighted to travel, visiting family in England several times, including a trip for the Royal Wedding, Greece, Hawaii and many more adventures.

Auntie Jean & Uncle Bobby retired to Mocksville, and continued active lifestyles adding golf to their repertoire. They maintained their fitness regime at the “Y”, as they would call it, which was their second home in Mocksville.

Auntie Jean moved to Huntsville, Ontario to be close to family after suffering a fall in Mocksville. She lived at a retirement residence where she made new friends and was able to get the extra care needed and “and participated in family activities and celebrations over these past few years.”.  She was a best friend and we will miss her dearly.

Please share a story at carolynnmackay7@gmail.com.