Jean Elizabeth Shaw passed away at Bastion Place in Salmon Arm, B.C. on May 5, 2019 following a short illness.
She was born December 11, 1939 in Vernon, B.C. to parents John Mihalcheon and Ellaline Mihalcheon (nee Swift). Her father worked as an electrical lineman for a power company. The family built a home on the shore of Okanagan Lake and soon sister June (Milne) and brother Lorne were born. Jean loved swimming and often recalled spending many beautiful summers on the lake at Okanagan Landing with her siblings.
The family relocated to Kelowna and Jean went to work in a record store. It was there that she met her future husband Arthur Lorne Shaw, from Peachland, who visited the store often to see her, under the pretense of looking for Country-Western albums. She fell in love with him and they married in 1960.
Arthur went logging while Jean worked in a bank. They eventually adopted a son, Brian, and a daughter, Holly, and moved to Lillooet where Arthur worked as an assistant ranger of the BC Forest Service. But soon they were on the move again when Arthur was transferred, this time to Salmon Arm. Son Gregory was born not long after, and the family moved to a log home on an acreage in the country where they settled happily for many years.
Jean gave most of her time to caring for her children, spouse and home. She was a genuinely loving and empathetic person who made friends easily and went out of her way to help people. She had a keen wit and poetic outlook on life. She wrote literature, painted nature scenes, and gardened, always with passion and pride.
Her flower gardens were lush and intricate, and her house and yard immaculately maintained. She was a doting mother who raised three confident and successful children and motivated them to want to help others and to make a difference in the world. She enjoyed spending time in the BC outdoors, camping and fishing with family and friends. There were many laughs and good times in those days.
Jean's life changed dramatically after Arthur passed away in 2013. Her soulmate had been taken away after more than 50 years of togetherness. She longed to see him again in the great hereafter.
She wanted to specially thank Dr. Cindy Malinowski, and the hard-working staff of Interior Health and Bastion Place, for their caring attention. Bower's Funeral Home has been charged with final arrangements. Cremation to be followed by a private interment ceremony of close family.
Jean Shaw is survived by her daughter Holly; son Greg, his spouse Tonya, and grandchildren Dylan and Ava; and by son Brian, his spouse Brenda, and grandchildren Devin and Cassidy. She loved us all and we miss her.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through Jean's obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com.
Bowers Funeral Service