Carol Lynn Jensen

1943–2022

It is with sadness and heavy hearts that our family shares with you that Carol Lynn Jensen (nee Siddall), most loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully in St. Joseph's Care Group with her family by her side on Thursday, January 20th, 2022 after lengthy battles with COPD and arthritis.

Lynn was born November 27, 1943 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and except for a short time spent in Churchill, Manitoba in the 1960's, she resided in Thunder Bay her entire life. Lynn was a natural adventurer and loved to travel. She aspired to become a stewardess (‘cause that's what they were called in those days!) to fulfill her travel dreams, but those aspirations were easily set aside when she became a mother. She was blessed with four children – Dan, David, Cindy and Lisa – the apples of her eyes. Fiercely independent, Lynn raised her four children on her own and taught each of them the importance of hard work, perseverance and family values. Sunday dinners together with her children is a treasured memory of her family devotion. Lynn was considerate and compassionate. Her love for her family and friends was unwavering and will be cherished by many. Incredibly smart, and always an honest woman, Lynn did not shy away from offering her opinion and telling it like it is – direct and to the point was her way. You got the truth from her whether you liked it or not! Her great sense of humour and her ability to make you laugh at her deadpan, sarcastic responses and her classic one-liners will be missed terribly.

Although Lynn never did become a stewardess, she did achieve her goal of working in the travel industry and she enjoyed a lengthy career as a clerk in the Finance Department for the Ministry of Transport at the Thunder Bay Airport until her early retirement in 1995. While working and in her retirement, she embraced the travel bug that had bitten her early in life and she went on several cruises with her colleagues from the airport. Hating the cold, Lynn took to the road for several years to escape the Thunder Bay winter and travelled south to Texas for a few weeks each year until health issues kept her home. Lynn returned to the Thunder Bay Airport to work as the fee collector for the new September 11 security fee that had been introduced. Good thing she had thick skin, ‘cause everyone HATED that damn fee and would call her every name in the book when they had to pay it! After a short time, Lynn changed jobs and worked gate security, where she still had to endure a few choice words from passengers every time she had to confiscate their persian icing from their carry-on bags. Still, she loved the work and the people and the chance to be part of the action. Ultimately health issues led Lynn to a well-deserved final retirement.

From an early age, Lynn was creative and a crafter. Taking after her mother and her grandmother, Lynn was an extraordinary knitter and crocheter who produced many sweaters, mittens, hats, blankets, baby outfits, hot pads, doll clothes (you name it, she made it!) at a breakneck pace. If you know Lynn, you undoubtedly have one or many of her beautiful creations. Knitting and crocheting were just two of Lynn's many hobbies. She also enjoyed watching gameshows and patio gardening of late and in her younger days, bowling, playing cards and let's not forget her ceramics-making days during the 1970s!

Lynn is lovingly remembered by her children, Dan (Kathy), David (Lorraine), Cindy Lyght (Edgar), Lisa Mouledous (Tommy); by her siblings Pat (late Donald) Soderholm, Marty (Josette) Miller, Krissie (Tim) Galvin, Debbie (Don) Sawula and her sister-in-law Gwen (late Brian) Siddall. Affectionately called and remembered as Gramma (and G-Maw) by her grandchildren Jeffrey, Shane, Stephanie, Mike, Kody, Kylynn and Kohl and Great Gramma by Brooklyn & Brody, Eva & Jessica and Jaiya & Rylee. She is predeceased by her father William Douglas Siddall, her mother Victoria Miller (Siddall) (nee Walczak), her stepfather Walter Miller, her brother Brian Siddall, her grandson Kyle Kolomy, her granddaughter Jayme Jensen and her niece Crystal Lesovich (nee Soderholm). She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be sorely missed by her dearest and lifelong friend Carol McLeod and her constant companion for the past 14 years – her dog Molly.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Lynn was always a woman ahead of her time – smart, funny, caring, ambitious and beautiful. Katherine Hepburn once said, “Life is hard. After all, it kills you.” Lynn would appreciate the humour.