Jean Steele

 “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” — Helen Keller

Auntie Jean passed away peacefully on April 18, 2022 at Fairvern Nursing Home, Huntsville to be reunited with Uncle Bobby (predeceased December 16, 2009). Jean was predeceased by parents Joseph (Joe) W Brown & Iris (nee 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. Jean will also be missed by her dear friend Joyce Terrill.

Jean was born in Hull, England and an older sister to Sheila. In February 1948, Iris & her daughters boarded the Ascania to come to Canada in February 1948 to meet up with Joe in 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 1980’s, playing tennis, bike rides, to name a few. Jean & Rob skied at Killington in Vermont for many years also. Even into Jean’s 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, North Carolina and continued their active lifestyle 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.

We would like to send a big Thank You to all staff of the residences that have made Jean feel welcome and comfortable … Muskoka Traditions for making Jean feel part of their community in her transition from the US. Granite Ridge for all their support being able to provide the extra care for Jean and continued to take care of their residents & staff during in these times of the pandemic. Fairvern Nursing Home, while although her time was brief, worked quickly to accommodate to Jean’s needs and made her feel part of their family.

Always in our hearts