Jean Eleanor Wilson

WILSON, Jean Eleanor

Jean Eleanor Wilson, nee Fleming, formerly of Irma, AB, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children  at Michener Hill Extendicare in Red Deer, AB on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

Jean was born in Manville, AB on January 20, 1938 to Archie and Peggy Fleming. She grew up on the family farm alongside her twin sister, Joan, and brothers John, Hugh and Alfie. She began her education at the Albert School, walking uphill, both ways, to get there. She often spoke of the dances she and Joan went to, waiting until they were out of the sight line of their Mom and Dad to change into attire more suited for fun and flirting. And quite the flirt she was. Along with Joan and friends, she attended a Marty Robbins concert. Of course Jean insisted on being upfront where the action was. Back on the farm, Archie and Peggy listened on the radio, as the concert was being broadcast. Partway through, Marty Robbins announced to the world that he had just been winked at by a real cutie in the front row. Peggy turned to Archie and said, “That’s Jean!”, and she was right.

After completing her schooling at the Irma High School, Jean made the first step to the rest of her life. She travelled by bus to Edmonton and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was quite a surprise to Archie and Peggy when she returned home with the news, but she was determined to follow her own path.

Stationed in Ontario, Jean was sitting with a friend in the cafeteria when a dashing young man in uniform caught her eye and gave her a wink! Of course Jean immediately winked back, and thus began a lifelong adventure with her soulmate, Gerald (Jerry) Kurt Wilson. They were married on February 15, 1958.

They welcomed their first child, Gerald (Jerry) Clare in Trenton, Ontario. When Jerry was posted to CFB Marville in France, the young family boarded a ship for the weeklong voyage to their next adventure. Jean, expecting her second child, with Jerry Jr. still in diapers often talked of that experience. It turned out Jerry Sr. suffered from seasickness so he was absolutely no help with little Jerry.

Jody Leonard was born in Marville, where he remains, forever an infant. Juanita Anne and Judy Lynn were both also born in Marville. During the four years they were stationed in France, Jean and Jerry took the opportunity to see as much as they could. Paris was a favourite that Jean talked about often. After returning to Canada, they welcomed baby number five, Joanne Gail.

Through many moves in Western Canada, Jean happily worked alongside Jerry. When a moving van dropped their belongings off at a new residence, Jean would have everything unpacked and in its place with supper on the stove by the time Jerry came home from work.

Jean wore many hats, ranging from working with Jerry, cutting slabs and making lath to owning her own craft shop, which then became a local arcade. Jean also managed a fabric store in Calgary. She and Jerry operated an upholstery/drapery business. Many homes in Alberta benefitted from her innate sense of style. She also was a leader in 4H, teaching sewing to many in the Verdant Valley Sewing Club. She could whip up an outfit without a pattern in quick order and did so many times. Wade still talks about her making a pant suit in one afternoon to wear to Juanita’s bridal shower.

Jean and Jerry were married for almost 54 years, up to Jerry’s passing in 2012. She remained in her house in Irma, until she relocated first to Calgary and then to Red Deer. Her last years were difficult ones, dealing with the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Jean is lovingly remembered by her son, Jerry; daughters, Juanita (Wade) Noirot, Judy (Greg) Conn, and Joanne (Dane) Pedersen; seven grandchildren,  David Noirot, Christopher (Danielle) Noirot, Brad (Shannon) Noirot, Tiffany (Magnus) Sigurdur, Devon (Kayli) Conn, Annika Pedersen, Leif Pedersen; and nine great-grandchildren, Austin, Laine, Megan, Cayden, Kingsley, Colton, Shae, Clayton and Natalie.

She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings, John (Barbara) Fleming, Joan (Ches) Spornitz, Hugh Fleming, Alfie (Judy) Fleming, sister-in-law Pat Wilson, along with many nieces and nephews. Jean was predeceased by her husband, Jerry; son, Jody; parents, Archie and Peggy Fleming; as well as an infant brother; sisters-in-law, Elsie Fleming, Iris Lee and Ramona McElroy; and brothers-in-law Frank McElroy and Robert Wilson.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no service. Cremation will be followed by a Private Family Service alongside her husband, Jerry, at Ricinus Cemetery.