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 Julia Jean McKay-Commance Born on November 5, 1929, Jean was the seventh child of Michael and Mary Kuczma in Altario, AB. In her early years, Jean’s personality emerged while playing pool from a crate when she was too small to reach the table, joining her siblings in stealing a monkey from the circus, and taking pleasure in always being in the top two of her class in school (there were only two students in the class.) Jean enjoyed spending time at the Altario Hotel owned by her family where she eventually met Bill McKay in 1949. They fell in love and were married on December 10, 1951. Shortly after, Bill and Jean decided to start a family and had three children. In 1961, they bought a homestead in Bonanza, AB and made a welcoming home which was the site for many fun-filled gatherings of family and friends over the years. After Bill retired, they enjoyed keeping warm during the winter in Apache Junction, Arizona. In 1998, Bill passed away in Dawson Creek, BC after a courageous battle with cancer. Jean’s spirit remained strong as she continued to travel and enjoy her life and those in it. Jean seized every opportunity to dress up in a costume and dress up those around her. Anticipation surrounded weddings, birthdays, Halloween and the New Year, as her imagination and adventurous character were always the life of the party. Jean had a natural talent for crafts and sewing, and enjoyed sharing her finished products, in particular, her zipper art. She took pleasure in spending time outdoors; camping, fishing, playing cards, appreciating music and visiting around a fire were usually enjoyed with a margarita in hand. Jean cherished her time with family and friends. In 1999, Pete Commance re-ignited the spark in Jean’s eyes. When at home in Edmonton, AB, Pete and Jean welcomed every opportunity to entertain family and friends. They also enjoyed spending time in warmer climates like Osoyoos and Mexico during the winter months and the park in Devon became a second home to them during the summer months. Near the end of 2009, Pete passed away unexpectedly in Edmonton. With a heavy heart, Jean succumbed to a long battle with cancer on May 5, 2010 in Spirit River, AB at the age of 80. Beloved mother to Mickey (Sheryl), Mary (Norman), Marg (Gord); step-children, Janice (Gary), Peter, Marie (Bob), Susan (Jean-Yves), John (Jacquie), and Jeanne (Jim); grandchildren, Ted (Amanda), Rob (Amanda), Tammy (Ryan), Sherri (Broyden), Bryan (Vanessa), Mike (Brenda), Jaycee (Ryan), Daron (Crystal), Karissa (Adam), Zachary, Brandon, Ryan, Katherine, Alex, Isabella, and Mark-Anthony; great grandchildren, Mikaela, Emily, Bailey, Madison, Michaila, Faith, Dane, Shaye, Tripp, Nevyn, Aistlinn, Jayden, Julia, Brittany, Brook, and DJ; sister to Lillian and Helen; sister-in-law to Willard; aunt to numerous nieces and nephews and friend to many. Predeceased by her husbands, Bill McKay and Peter Commance; sisters, Frances, Agnes, Ann; brother, Alec; and beloved grandson Ryan. To celebrate Jean’s life, family and friends gathered at her home in Edmonton, onMay 15, 2010. A gathering will also take place in Dawson Creek at Mary and Norm’s home on June 12, 2010. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Jean may be made to ‘QEII Central Peace Palliative Care,’ Box 339, Spirit River, T0H 3G0 or the ‘Spirit River Hospital,’ 5010-45th Avenue, Spirit River, T0H 3G0 |
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Dawson Creek: (250)
782-2577 Serving Fort St. John: (250) 785-2872 |
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