The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92, Gananoque, Ontario
Jean Walker
It is with a heavy heart that the Walker family advises that the matriarch, Jean Walker (nee Drake), left this earth in peaceful dignity on Saturday, 02 Dec 2023, at the age of 97 years. Our Mother was predeceased by her kindred-spirited husband of 72 years, Gerald F. Walker, exactly 5 years to the month of her passing. The significance widens when one realizes that they first met when they were both 10 years of age and discovered that they were both born in Montreal on the same day, month, and year (15 June 1926).
Predeceased by her Scottish immigrant parents Jean and Alex Drake, Jean was the lone-spirited girl within a family of three brothers: Alex, Jack and Gorden. Typical of the vibrant young ladies of what has been referred to as the “Greatest Generation,” Jean was the loving mother of two ‘baby-boomer’ sons: Gerald (wife Suzanne) and Richard (wife Jo-Ann); the proud grandmother of Forrest (wife Kathy), Dana (husband Aaron),and Samantha; and the ‘delighted‘ great-grandmother of Alexia and Jaime (Stroud) and Max and Colten (Walker).
Uniforms served as a near constant theme in our mother’s life. From the basketball team at Rosemount High School, to the uniformed young man returning from the war, to her Primary Reserve promotion to the rank of Corporal, within The 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars Regiment, and then later twinned with our father in the distinctive uniform and in their decades-long common dedication in the service of the Royal Canadian Legion. Within which our mother served as Ladies Auxiliary President of the Chomedey, Laval, P.Q. Brach 251 and from 1992 onward continued in that Ladies Auxiliary association with the Gananoque Branch 92. As was their kind and empathetic nature, the immediate corrective to launching two sons into the world, was the sequenced rescuing, adoption, and accommodation of five dogs.
It is often said that: “What’s meant to be will always find its way.” From the coincidental birthdays and throughout the 72 years as the Jean and Gerry team, our mother personified the values and beliefs of her generation- that selfless love and devotion to our wellbeing ensured that we enjoyed the opportunities, practiced the virtues, and lived a quality of life much better than they had ever known or could have imagined. For which we as a family remain forever grateful and inspired.
That gratitude extends to the warmth, professionalism, and dedicated staff efforts of all members of the Carveth Care Center, who over the last five years took exceptionally gentle and conscientious care of our mother and to whom we owe so much. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Tompkins Funeral Home 63 Garden Street, Gananoque, Ontario, K7G 2T8. Phone (613) 382-3088, info@ tompkinsfuneralhome.biz
A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, 16 December 11:00-13:00 with the interment to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Canadian National Institute for the blind (CNIB) Support CNIB by donating, volunteering, and more | CNIB https://www.cnib.ca/
Jean Walker was a 35 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion and was also a long term member of the Legions Ladies Auxiliary, well respected by all her comrades in both entities.
Anne Parker
1st Vice, membership Chair and Webmaster
