Obituary of Jeanne Walters

It is with sadness that we announce that Jeanne passed away at University Hospital at the age 95 on Monday, April 16, 2018. She is survived by her daughter Bonney Jean Walters, grandson Terry Allen Hoknes (Valerie Stocki), granddaughter Leslie Jeanne Flath(Mike Flath), great-grandson Nicholas Belcourt Hoknes. She was predeceased by her husband John Lester Walters (1919-1989), mother Marie (Mylymok) Brown (1903-1988), and father Joseph Woloshyn (1898-1938). Jeanne, an only child, was born on April 28, 1922 in Cudworth, SK., and was raised in Wakaw, SK by her mother's brother, William Mylymok. She loved skating, tennis, hockey and read every book in the school library. Each day after school, she helped her Auntie Ann clean the Wakaw United Church. In 1936, Jeanne moved to Saskatoon to finish high school and take a three year Commercial Course at Saskatoon Technical Institute. She took regular class subjects as well as typing, shorthand and bookkeeping. Jeanne played on a female Hockey team. Her first job was at the Marigold Restaurant in the late 1930s and was paid 5 cents an hour. Later she found employment at Saskatoon Hardware, in the office, where she sometimes helped in the china department and so began her love for fine china. She still has a complete set she purchased. In the 1940s she splurged and bought herself an expensive $100.00 fur coat with $5.00 monthly payments. Jeanne met Les Walters, in 1939, at a jitney dance at the old town arena. He ran Walters Cycle Co with his father, Jack Walters, who founded the bicycle and skate business in 1912. Les was sent overseas during WWII, and Jeanne wrote him 2 to 3 letters a week and sent them off as V Mail blue letters. 200 letters were numbered so they could be read in order. Jeanne enlisted in the Canada Women's Army Corps in 1944. Les and Jeanne married, in August 1946, upon his return from the war. In 1947, Jeanne and Les bought their first home on 20th Street with help from her mother who lived with them for the next 41 years. Their only child, Bonney, was, born on August 8, 1948. Jeanne and Les loved to travel, and between 1951 and 1986 they visited 40 different countries. Les filmed many 8mm movies and slides of their holidays. For 43 years Les and Jeanne worked as a team owning and operating Walters Cycle and served at least three generations of loyal customers who often became their dear friends. The store closed in 1989 when Les passed away. Jeanne has always loved and admired art, and was involved with art from her teenage years onwards. The only high school art class offered in the city was taught at the Technical School by her friend, teacher and mentor Ernest Lindner. When the Saskatoon Art Centre opened in 1944, Jeanne got involved. Jeanne has always enjoyed music and started attending Saskatoon Symphony concerts at the Bessborough Hotel in 1936. A women's committee was formed to raise funds, and Jeanne served on the executive for 42 years. She actively participated in the Grants and Awards Program, the Saskatoon Overture Series and the Summer Orchestra program. Another passion of Jeanne's was live theatre. She was founding member and president of the Saskatoon Theatre for Children, vice-president of Saskatoon's Circle in the Centre held at the Mendel Art Centre and even had a role in a play that featured Eric Peterson (Corner Gas) in 1966. She's held a board position with Persephone Theatre, Gateway Theatre, Saskatchewan Region Dominion Drama Festival and the National Theatre of Canada. Jeanne has always loved to volunteer and give back to her community. She has been the president of the Saskatoon Skating Club Auxiliary, co-chaired the Sportsman Club, executive member of the Five Pin Bowling League, president of the Home and School Bowling League, vice-president of the CNR ladies Curling Club and served on the boards of the Saskatoon Parks and Recreation Department. She has volunteered for City Hospital and Royal University Hospital Auxiliaries, United Appeal, Salvation Army, Canadian Diabetes Association, John Howard Society, Saskatoon Council of Aging (to help restore the "Little Stone School House"), Saskatoon Homecoming 1971, Friends of the Amati, YWCA, Council of Aging, Friends of the Library, Western Development Museum and Saskatoon Board of Trade and helped establish the War Memorial at Woodlawn Cemetery. The list of all the community organizations she has volunteered for, and that meant a great deal to her, is ongoing. She still attended Rotary Probus Club, Symphony concerts and events at the Century Club and the new Remai Modern where she was a life time member. Jeanne contributed to 55 different organizations over the past 80 years and received numerous awards: - Government of Canada Volunteer Medal for Saskatchewan - Sterling Award - Silver Spoon - Saskatoon - Saskatchewan Department of Culture and Recreation Volunteer Award - Women of Distinction Award - Century Saskatoon Award - Council of Women's Hall of Fame Award - Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Award - Mendel Art Gallery - Honorary Life Member - Saskatoon Music Festival Honorary Life Member - Saskatoon Opera Honorary Life Member - Saskatoon Symphony Volunteers Honorary Life Member - Saskatoon Nutana Rotary Honorary Life Member She encouraged her grandchildren to be active in music and today her grandson Terry is a professional musician and teacher. She bought him a double bass, drums, guitars, piano, organ and helped pay his way through University to study music. Jeanne's granddaughter Leslie also studied art, piano, cello, modeling and dancing. Bonney was involved in skating and theatre. She encouraged her great-grandson Nicholas with French drama classes. Into her 90s Jeanne loved to read biographical books, watch sports and play Bridge, Kaiser and Rummy with her family into the wee hours. She was always good at cards and seemed to win most of the games. She especially loved having good long phone chats with friends. She had an amazing memory and could still name school students, artists and local business owners after 70 years. Instead of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Remai Modern, Rotary, the Saskatoon Symphony or a charity of your choice. Funeral Services will take place at 3rd Avenue United Church on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. The funeral will be a Celebration of her Life held on her 96th birthday, in the same church where she married Les Walters, 72 years earlier in 1946. Condolences may be left for the family at www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Parking will be available at Saskatoon Funeral Home (4th Ave. & 25 St.).