Jean Corke
Our much loved mother and grandmother Jean Corke (October 31st ,1919) passed away peacefully in South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, Bracebridge Ontario on Wednesday July 29th, 2015.
She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Charles Thomas Corke, daughter Patricia Dianne Corke and sister Grace J. Stowe.
Survived by her daughter Pamela Corke ( Mario Courchesne , Rothesay NB ) Steven ( Elaine, Huntsville ON) and Christopher Corke (Petrolia ON) and by her grandsons Philip MacDonald ( Melissa, New Glasgow NS ) and Paul Shaw ( Nicole , New Glasgow NS ) and their families and by grand-daughter Jennifer Corke ( Tom Wall, Guelph, ON) . Jean is also survived by her name-sake, “special sister “and friend, Jean Roy Fish ( Collingwood, Ont.).
Jean was born in Radville, Sask. to Flora Dash and Walter Abijah Stowe and employed as a stenographer and dicta-typist in Regina until the outbreak of the Second World War when she enlisted in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps earning the rank of Lieutenant. Our Mom was ever-proud of her war - time service.
She lived in Stratford ON at the outset of her marriage and as Charlie studied she raised her children in London Ont., New Brunswick New Jersey and later in Guelph during her husband’s tenure at the University of Guelph.
In 1965 Jean began to take art classes at the Guelph Creative Arts Association and later she presided as its president for several terms in the 1970’s. She spent many years with this creative and inspiring group of artists - later teaching batik and art in Guelph, New Glasgow and Stratford. Her sketches, paintings and art decorate our lives and her daily journals, poems, short stories and scrap books will keep her spirit with us for a very long time.
For 10 years after Charles’ retirement their best years were spent in New Glasgow NS at their home on Maple Street. Together Charlie and Jean explored the back roads of Nova Scotia : her hills and dales and river beds and all the while Jean’s sketch book and camera at the ready. Jean loved her group of friends at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and the common fellowship they shared. Life’s circle was made complete when they returned to Stratford Ontario to begin a new chapter. How blessed we are for her life. Her faith-filled beliefs, artistic spirit and her ability to share her moral compass guided all of us. Her smile and laughter both a gift to us all and in her own words: “My reason for living is my children - my cup runneth over.” Thank you Mama.
Friends are invited to a graveside service at Avondale Cemetery, 4 Avondale Avenue, Stratford (Range 16) on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 1 p.m. A celebration of Jean’s life will follow at the Festival Inn, 1144 Ontario Street, Stratford from 2-4 p.m.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice through the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford. 519.271.7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com