Jeanette Dean
Jeanette Dean
Jeanette Dean
Jeanette Dean
Jeanette Dean

Obituary of Jeanette Mary Dean

To Watch the recorded version of the service click this link: https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/132653463

 

Jeanette Mary Dean passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 9th, 2023 at the age of 93.  She was predeceased by her husband, Christopher in November of 2020.  Jeanette is survived by her sons, Christopher and Andrew (Cathy); her daughter, Kathy; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

 

Jeanette lived a life well worth remembering she was born March 1, 1930 in Northampton England to Ada and John Smart.  She earned an honors degree in French and English from Leeds University, as well as diplomas in teaching deaf children, regular teaching and teaching English as a second language from Manchester University.  Mum later earned a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Saskatchewan.

 

Her first teaching post was in Bradford England teaching young deaf children, then moved on to the Liverpool School for the deaf teaching Grade 4.  She taught at the teachers training college in Singapore and when the family finally settled in Saskatoon Jeanette taught kindergarten, grade 4 and became the supervising teacher at the Saskatchewan School for the Deaf.  Jeanette was elected the first woman president of the Canadian Teachers of the hearing impaired, which was a remarkable accomplishment.  She took early retirement but then became employed by the government to work with deaf children in the Northern reserves and Hutterite Colonies.  Later Mum worked for the Open Door Society teaching English as a second language and she continued to Volunteer with Global Gathering teaching English well into her Eighties.

   

Mum loved to volunteer and was the recipient of 6 awards from the Federal, Provincial and local levels.  Jeanette was the provincial chair of UNICEF which took her to Vietnam to observe their educational system.  She was on the Mendal Board, the City Committee for assisting the disabled, Friends of the Library and Information Services at City Hospital.  She worked incredibly hard at getting a Children’s Museum in Saskatoon and was thrilled when Wonderhub became a reality.  

 

Jeanette supported the Arts, she loved the Saskatoon Symphony and performed in several Summer Players productions.  She was a member of the Saskatoon Camera Club, the Canadian Federation of University Women and along with Dad managed the Gateway Box Office for many years.

 

Mum and Dad loved to travel and visited over 45 countries by car and cruises.  A highlight was a trip down the Amazon River to Celebrate their 80th birthdays.  Jeanette was also a talented author and published multiple articles and short stories.  She wrote and had her first complete book published at the age of 90.  

 

Mum always said her greatest accomplishments were her wonderful marriage of 67 years and their achievements, love and joy of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her extended Chen family.  Jeanette was a wonderful woman, community builder, advocate, educator and a loving wife and mother.  Though she will be deeply missed, it is with profound gratitude that she was a part of our lives.

 

A Celebration of her Life will be held at Saskatoon Funeral Home on Saturday, March 18th at 10:30 a.m.  Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Operation Smile or a charity of your choice. 

Saturday
18
March

Memorial Service

10:30 am
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Saskatoon Funeral Home
338 4th Ave. North
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
306-244-5577
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