Jeannette Violet (McGuire) Abdai
January 28, 1920 – October 28, 2009

Jeannette Violet (McGuire) Abdai was born the tenth of twelve children on January 28, 1920 outside of Resource, Saskatchewan, to John and Elizabeth McGuire. Farm life was not easy and Jeannette was often sick. As a teenager Jeannette worked in town. She met William (Bill) Emde and they were married in December of 1939 and moved to a farm near Imperial, Saskatchewan.

Family life began in 1939 with the birth of Ieleene followed in 1941 with Kenneth. Around 1949 the family moved near the town of Brooks, Alberta. Two more children were born, Norman in 1953 but he survived for only 7 days and then Janice.

Tragedy struck when Bill was diagnosed with stomach cancer and died in 1957. Jeannette went to work as a cook at the Trans-Canada Restaurant where she met John Abdai. He was a truck driver who had made a regular stop on his travels or visits driving his pink candy DeSoto! They were married February 10, 1961 and moved to Calgary. Jeannette purchased a store overlooking the Bow River to assist with finances.

Ieleene gave birth to Jeannette’s first grandchildren, Kathy and Danny who died as an infant and Donna and Sherry followed later. More trauma occurred when in 1962 at the age of 21 Kenneth was killed in a truck accident.  There was a silver lining though in 1965 when Jeannette gave birth to baby John.
In 1971 the family moved by transfer to Dawson Creek.

Since Jeannette has a natural love for children she decided to open a daycare in her home. She operated the “Abdai’s Family Daycare” from 1973-1993. Jeannette was so popular with the children and their parents.

In the summer of 1978 Jeannette and the family were devastated again with her husband John’s sudden death by a heart attack.

Jeannette began the next chapter in her life. Favorite activities were dancing, bowling and socializing. Jeannette met Bart Zaal who became her companion for over 27 years. They did lots of traveling over the years in the van along with her canary, “Pretty Bird”, who was strapped in his cage by the back window. Throughout the years grandchildren continued to join the family. From Janice: Nancy-Anne, Kenneth, Amy, Michael, and Shawnacy. From John: Kristen and Corey. Adding to Jeannette’s legacy are now great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Jeannette Violet Abdai was a feisty, exceptional person and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

Jeannette is survived by:
Bart Zaal, her companion for 27 years. Sister: Stella (Fraser) Anderson.
Children: Ieleene Smith, Janice Emde, John Abdai
Grandchildren: Kathy Baird, Donna (Clint) Fisher, Sherry Gullion, Nancy-Anne (Howie) Manning, Kenneth (Kim) Kaempf, Amy Kaempf, Michael and Shawnacy Emde, Kristen and Corey Abdai.
Eleven great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

Jeannette was predeceased by her parents John and Elizabeth McGuire, husbands Bill Emde and John Abdai as well as sons, Kenneth, Norman Emde and Grandsons Danny
Brooks and a great Grandson James Courtoreille.

Funeral arrangements for Jeannette were taken care of by Bergeron’s Funeral Services and Crematorium Ltd.  A memorial service was held for Jeannette on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at 10:30 at the Bergeron Funeral  Chapel in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.

Dawson Creek: (250) 782-2577    Serving Fort St. John: (250) 785-2872
E-mail: services@bergeronfunerals.com    Fax: (250) 782-1264
Toll-Free: 1-800-577-4877
10200-17th St. Dawson Creek, British Columbia