Jeannette DeWitt

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Jeannette Marcia DeWitt, loving wife, devoted mother & mother-in law, sister and friend.  At the age of 72, Jeannette graduated into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 8:00am Christmas morning at the Peter Lougheed hospital after a prolonged and difficult battle with Parkinson’s disease.  This was a disease she battled bravely and courageously for the past 20 years.

Jeannette was born in Trochu, Alberta to Oliver & Katherine Parry, and started life on the Parry Farm west of Three Hills. When she was seven years old they moved into Three Hills where she attended the Three Hills School.  She had two loving siblings, an older brother Brian Parry (predeceased) and younger sister Betty (Parry) Kirk.  In grade 11 Jeannette and her sister Betty took an adventurous road trip across Canada with a family friend. After high school in 1965 Jeannette moved to Calgary to attend the first nursing class of the Foothills School of Nursing. She graduated with an RN in nursing after 3 years and worked at the hospital for the next few years.  For a graduation present, she travelled to Hawaii with her parents to celebrate her accomplishments

Jeannette met Albert Earl DeWitt in 1970 and they were married in Calgary in 1971. They started their life on the farm west of Airdrie and soon after their daughters Colleen and Marnie were born. Jeannette loved to work outdoors growing large vegetable gardens and maintaining a pristine yard.  She also loved to cook, bake, entertain and host large gatherings, a tradition still carried on by her children.  Jeannette decided to take a nursing refreshers course and go back to nursing at the Foothills Hospital. In 1986 the family welcomed their son Robert to the family; a perfect 40^th birthday present. She was able to keep working at the Foothills Hospital again where she worked night shifts. 

Jeannette and Albert moved from the farm into Airdrie on the golf course in 1999 where they enjoyed many years together.  Soon grandchildren came on the scene.  Her grandchildren brought her great joy and she loved spending time with them.  In her later years she loved to collect antiques and collectables and loved decorating rooms in her house with her collection.

Most importantly, Jeannette will be remembered as a faithful woman of God.  Her relationship with Jesus Christ was of utmost importance to her and she was known as a prayer warrior to those who knew her.  She loved to care for others which was clearly shown in her work as a nurse and as many could attest to this day.  Her diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease made her relationship with the Lord stronger each and every day.  She clung to God’s promise to never leave her side, she had faith that God could heal her, however understood that God had a plan for her life and accepted his will for her life. She was passionate about introducing her Lord and Savior to her friends and acquaintances.  She loved her Bible time and especially loved the book of Psalms where her Bible was marked, highlighted and worn to threads as she poured through the verses over and over again.  We as a family will miss her endless prayers for her family and friends, and for this she will be missed more than words can express.

 2Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Jeannette will be lovingly remembered by her husband Albert DeWitt and three children Colleen (DeWitt) Nudd, Marnie (DeWitt) Wetmore & Robert DeWitt, her sons & daughter in laws Mark Nudd, Matthew Wetmore & Caila DeWitt, her grandchildren, Juliana & Jeremiah Nudd, Isaac & Katie Wetmore, Maverick & Declan DeWitt and sister Betty Kirk.

The DeWitt family would like to thank all those people who were part of Jeannette’s care team over the years including family, friends, doctors, nurses and her care givers & helpers Lacy Christiansen and Jennifer Evenson.

A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held at Kingdom City, Monday January 21st at 2:00pm.  Located at 1604 Summerfield Blvd. Airdrie, AB T4B 1C7 (formerly Airdrie Alliance Church).