Jane Ann Peachey

1936 - 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Jane Ann Peachey, at her home on September 13th, 2022 at the age of 86. Jane was born in Fort Frances on September 4th, 1936. Celebrating her arrival were sisters Dorothy and Margaret (Peggy), along with parents Jack and Jessie Peachey.

While attending Prospect and P.A.C.I. schools in Port Arthur, Jane excelled in all sports. It was Jane's love of basketball which brought her to the University of Western Ontario, in London.

During her studies at Western, Jane joined the military, becoming a Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) Officer and achieving the rank of Captain. Jane loved driving lorries, and any other big military vehicle, even if she was only 5'4” tall! It was through the military that Jane got interested in target and trap & skeet shooting.

Upon returning home, Jane started her lifelong career with St. Joseph's Hospital as a Radioisotope Laboratory Technician, becoming the Director of the Nuclear Medicine department. Jane was a true pioneer in this field. When the hospital expanded the department in 1967, it allowed advances in the diagnostic field and research, in which Jane played an integral part in helping develop. As she often said, it was a real art to interpret scan plates in those days.

In the 1960s, computers were becoming more prevalent in this field, which excited Jane. Being a member of the Mensa society, it did not take Jane long to develop the computer software and systems required for her research. The family has always said that Jane was “born too soon for computers!”.

We now have the technology and machinery in the Thunder Bay Nuclear Medicine department, due to Jane's endeavors in her work and research. Jane was thrilled to get an invitation to visit the Cyclotron Facility at TBRHSC before it became operational, which now provides a reliable supply of local isotopes used for patient care. Jane was also instrumental in bringing the Bone Density Scan (DEXA) to the city, knowing it too was needed.

Jane was a driven, self taught individual with many talents and interests. Outside of Jane's work she enjoyed spending time with family, her many dogs over the years, crafting, quilting, sewing, painting, renovating and gardening. If anyone had a green thumb, it was Jane! She designed and built onto her home, a sophisticated greenhouse where she could grow and keep plants all year long. Jane even bought farmland which she cultivated with her Dad. The years of maintaining the farm has left us with many funny memories, especially about potatoes, bears, gravel in eggs, dogs in sleeping bags, and flashlights without batteries, to name a few. These memories will be treasured by us, and will last forever. Jane is already greatly missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Jane hosted many family gatherings and celebrations throughout the years. She was the best Aunt ever, and Jane insisted that we call her by her first name only. You see, in Jane's mind, Aunts were old, and she did not want to be considered old! Although Jane did not have any children of her own, her house was a second home to her nephew Ken and niece Carol, with many sleepovers, late night shows and antics which only an Aunt would allow! Jane encouraged her family members to use her home computer for school assignments in the early 80s, which was rare to have available. She greatly enjoyed seeing our excitement and awe at what computers could do, e.g., backspace or copy & paste, which during the days of typewriters was certainly amazing.

In 1992, Jane was able to retire; she got to spend more time with her dog, home, family, gardens and traveling. In later years, Jane enjoyed using her computer to keep her mind sharp, playing computer games until her eyesight deteriorated.

Jane is survived by her sister and best friend Peggy Chase, Peggy's children Ken (Jayme) and Carol (John); brother in law Peter Christy, his children Lynne, Jack (Larry) and Lorraine (Steve). Jane is predeceased by her parents Jessie (1965) and Jack (1979); brother in law Don Chase (2018); and sister Dorothy Christy (2018).

As per Jane's wishes, cremation and burial at the Riverside Cemetery family plot has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation/Cyclotron Fund; The War Amps; or any Thunder Bay animal rescue, adoption or shelter, would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Condolences may be made through
www.nwfainc.com