Obituary of Jean Tackaberry

TACKABERRY - It is with sadness that Jean Tackaberry’s family announce her passing on Dec. 7, 2018. Jean (née Copas) was born at Vernon Vale, her family farm near Lancaster, Glengarry Country, Ontario on Dec. 29, 1918.  Jean graduated from Lancaster Public School, Williamstown High School and Central Business College in Montreal. She worked as an executive secretary at Northern Electric Company, Canadian National Railways and Cassidy’s in Montreal.  She met Jack Tackaberry while he was stationed at Manning Depot in Montreal with the R.C.A.F during World War II. They were married in Calvary United Church on April 6, 1944. After the war Jean and Jack moved west. They lived briefly in Vancouver, then moved to Saskatchewan where they farmed in Smeaton, lived in Codette and settled permanently in Saskatoon.  Jean worked for Dr. Boughton, Medical Superintendent of the Saskatoon Sanitorium, and the Collegiate Board.  They attended St. James church then became active members of St. Timothy’s Anglican church in 1958. Jean received an honorary life membership in the Anglican Church Women for her many contributions over more than 50 years. She was active as a volunteer in several organizations including Homemakers, the Legion Auxiliary and Home and School. Jean’s lifelong love of gardening led to her certification as a Master Gardener through the University of Saskatchewan extension program and a lifetime membership in the Saskatoon Horticultural Society. Jean and Jack enjoyed their retirement years, travelling to six continents, and time spent with many friends.  Jean loved to write and was a member of the Silver Quills Writing Club. She documented her early life in stories collected in her book “Memories of Glengarry.”  Jean was predeceased by parents Albert and Jeanet Copas, husband Jack Tackaberry, daughter Maureen Smith, brother Graham Copas, and sisters Dorothea Law, Eleanor Smith and Betty MacDonald. To mourn her passing are her son Graham (Mary), daughter Rosanne (Moe), grandchildren Janet Chwelos (Todd), Heather Findlay (Scott), Ricky Smith (Shannon), Tracey Tackaberry (Dwayne), Corey Tackaberry, Jennifer Tackaberry (Vanessa) and Melissa Tackaberry-Syed (Hashim), great grandchildren Samantha and Jared Chwelos, Charli, Bailey, Chayce and Isabela Findlay, Sophia and Diana Tackaberry-Syed, nieces and nephews. We thank the staff at Stonebridge Crossing and OverC Health for their kindness and care over the last several years. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at Saskatoon Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to one of Jean’s favourite charities: Saskatoon SPCA, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan, or Western Development Museum Saskatoon.