Jean Carter Stirling
August 15, 1923 to August 19, 2021
Obituary
To view the funeral service for Jean Stirling on September 9, 2021 at 2 p.m. from The Carnell Memorial Chapel, please click the following link:
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1630091179133300
Jean Carter Stirling passed peacefully August 19, 2021 with her children at her side, just days after her 98th Birthday. Born August 15, 1923 in St. John’s, Jean stayed lifelong friends with classmates from the Rockford school, Bishop Spencer College, and Havergal College (Toronto). Yearbooks show Jean as Games Captain, writer, puzzle solver, well loved classmate, known for her jokes and laughter. That theme continued throughout her life. Upon returning from Toronto in 1942, she worked with the Royal Navy as a secret code and cypher clerk, never able to divulge what she learned. After the war, Jean used her writing, editing, and organizational skills working in Montreal and St. John’s, including at the Evening Telegram and The Sunday Herald. She married in 1947, had two children, Scott and Anne. Following her divorce Jean moved her family to the southern United States, returning to Canada in 1961. As a single parent, Jean settled in Halifax, and worked in media and production, including as a script assistant at CBC, hosting lively parties for her colleagues. Jean’s household often comprised a series of billeted local and international students and travellers, providing diversity and interest. In her 40s, Jean went back to school and got her BA from Dalhousie in 1970, graduating the same summer she had heart surgery. Jean and her daughter drove to Toronto where she completed her M.Ed in Counseling from the University of Toronto, 1973. Returning to Halifax, Jean worked at Mount St. Vincent as a counsellor and continued in that field til her move to Toronto in the early 1980s. Being socially responsible, Jean got active in recycling, eco-friendly endeavors and volunteering at the Food Bank, continuing this advocacy throughout her life. She returned to St. John’s in 1990 always feeling Newfoundland was home. Her family, genealogy research, dart playing, and square dancing were some of her great passions. An avid reader, researcher, bridge player, advocate and curious soul, Jean never stopped being open to meeting new people, learning, and making a contribution. She has left to mourn countless friends and family…children Anne, Scott (Judy) and grandchildren Jesse (Amanda and great granddaughter Olivia), Geoffrey, Lydia McLaughlin (Doug and great grandchildren Stirling, Maverick, Roman). Cremation has taken place. A private service will be held at The Carnell Memorial Chapel on September 9 at 2 pm and will be livestreamed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Food Sharing Association (cfsa.nf.net).
So sorry for the loss of your mom,got to know her from her visits to the Sheraton Hotel..How she loved her lemon tart.,Condolences
Anne,
So sorry to hear of your dear Mom’s passing.
Please accept my condolences.
Karen Stewart
My sincere sympathy to the family of Jean Stirling. I came to know Jean in my genealogy research. She was so very helpful, particularly, as recently as earlier this year when she shared with me stories about both my parents. And, my grandfather.
She was a classmate of my mother’s at Spencer. And, she and my dad shared a ship’s voyage returning home from school in Canada during the war.. These are precious memories for which I am eternally grateful to Jean.
She was very warm, kind, generous and very thoughtful. I share your sorrow in your loss of your beloved Jean. I will miss her, too.
Judith Guy Mulder
Port Hope, Ontario
Deep sadness to learn of Jean’s passing…
My condolences to the Sterling family..
Peter Carter
Remembering Jean with great fondness and thinking of you all.
Dear Anne and Scott and family. Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time and we hope that many happy memories will help to ease your sense of loss over the coming months. Your mum lived a life full of accomplishment and certainly was a strong and remarkable woman, ahead of her time.
Dear Anne and Scott: You were both raised by a remarkable woman who was way ahead of her time. you were the light of her life even as she recalled the younger years raising both of you. I only got to know Jean in her senior senior years, but those memories will now last a lifetime. I especially remember the story she told of taking the Newfie Bullett as a young teenager to Toronto, all by herself. Jean had an amazing sense of humour and made me laugh every time I visited her. Oh how she will be missed. My condolences to you both and all your family.
What a wonderful life, so full of accomplishments and a legacy of beautiful memories. My condolences to Scott and the rest of the family.
Our sincere condolences to Jean’s family., she was a lovely person. We were friends during the war years and spent summers in Topsail with memories of many wonderful holidays. Ray was a school friend of brother Ernie . Sincere sympathy Catherine & Ray Tooton
Jean was such a lady. Our family got to know her at periodic dinners at our aunt’s house (Maggie Carter Halleran, Jean’s cousin). She was a tireless friend to Maggie and such a help and comfort in Maggie’s final days. So kind.
Latterly. we would occasionally meet at Tiffany Village where she lived down the hall from our father (Sid Morris). Those quick catch up chats while she exercised by doing her daily walk were always enjoyable.
Always gracious and friendly and a pleasure to speak with.
Sincere condolences to Anne and the rest of the family. from the Morris family.
My sincere condolences to Scott and family on the passing of his mother. A very accomplished lady.
Scott my condolences on the passing of your mother. The memories you have will be remain with you always.
Anne,
I know how often your mother was on your mind. Your love for her was very evident.
I am very sorry for your loss.
Much love and peace to you,
Heather
I would like to send my condolences to Jean’s family and all who loved Jean. We connected through genealogy and spent a lot of time going back and forth with the little mysteries that came up. Jean might have been 98 but she never aged. She always had a great sense of humour and a sparkle in her eyes. She spoke of her family often and I know she loved you all dearly and was so proud of you. I will miss her emails whether they were about genealogy or something she thought I would enjoy. Rest in peace Jean you deserve it.
Scott and Anne ,please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother. I met her only once when you ( Scott ) were a guest speaker at our cancer support group meeting many years ago. I could easily see her inner strength and how proud she was of you.. A beautiful lady who had a long interesting life and was blessed by a loving family.. My sincere condolences.
Jeff Blackwood
Dear Scott and Anne, I am so very sorry for the loss of your mom. I will miss my Auntie Jean so much and think she would approve of this poem. Love Katie xo
Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
By Mary Elizabeth Frye
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
Dear Anne, I knew your mother only briefly when she came to Toronto to finish her degree at U of T, but she was always impressive! I wish you love and peace at this difficult time. My best to Scott and your family. Once you are able please come visit in Toronto.
❤️ love, Dawn
Grams the Great, forever in our hearts.
Dear Anne and Scott. I am so sorry for your loss , but believe it is a passing of a higher level and her spiritual energy is forever with her family and friends. Your mother has always been an integral part of my life’s journey since I have known Aunt Jean since I was a little girl and as a big girl still dealing with the ups and downs of life’s journey. My Great aunt Jean has been an amazing source of comfort and strength through one of my most difficult journeys with my own mother this past winter . Somehow somewhere we are forever connected. Your mom has always been there for me and we have shared some very personal conversations on life and family and I feel so honoured and privileged to have had a close connection at the the Tiffany with her this past winter. We listened to each other’s voice with true empathy and compassion . Watching the fireworks with her New Years Eve from her window was magical. Her love of you both was unconditional and was so profoundly true and deep. I felt the deep love and protection she had for you both during our talks and visits. I feel a deep loss too as she is a truly great connection with me and my family. Rest in peace and love Great Aunt Jean …. One remarkable woman. Sincere condolences and hugs from Ronda Lake Parker. Peace ✌️ and ❤️.