Jean BUSBY

JEAN BUSBY Died June 14, 2023 Jean Busby nee Arnott, born 1921, in Bright, Ontario. Passed peacefully on June 14, 2023. She was a 101 years young. A compliment to those older, who are young of mind, that was especially true of Jeannie. Jeannie's friends, and she had many, knew when they saw her, first things first, they got a big hug. She was genuinely happy to see you. And then, over a cup of good coffee, the discussion began. She always asked questions, because she, and her husband, Jack, too, wanted to know what you thought. About anything and everything. That was the open-door atmosphere at their house in Port Credit. Everyone came to the side door, and because it was a few steps down from the kitchen, Jeannie just waved you up. After that, you knew enough to just walk in. And people did. All the time. Not only their own friends, but friends of their children, Ann, Briar, JR and Alex. You didn't avoid Jeannie and Jack, like perhaps, other parents. And that spirit continued after Jack's untimely death at the age of 63. Inspired by the nurses that served overseas during World War II, Jeannie began a career in nursing after high school, at the Woodstock General Hospital, in southwestern Ontario. She furthered her studies in Montreal, at McGill, and in Boston. She returned to Ontario to serve as a surgical nurse at Toronto General, and to teach obstetrics at The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids). She retired in the 1960s to raise her four children. She once said that nursing saved her life. At loose ends after Ann's death at the too-young age of 17, Jeannie returned to nursing in 1975, working as one of only two women on staff at the Don Jail. She helped inmates with mental health issues and in that role, later moved over to The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), expanding to the Sexology Clinic, as well, consulting for the Ontario Parole Board, until her retirement in 2012 at the age of 92. She lived independently, but she was never alone. Always quick with a laugh, she was constantly visited by friends and family. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack; and her daughter, Ann. She is survived by her daughter, Briar (Tim); and her sons, JR and Alex. She will be lovingly remembered by granddaughter, Kayla; and her husband, Max; their son, Rowan; and the newly arrived twins, Bennett and Atticus; and grandson, Quin and his wife, Jenica; and their children, Owen, Keegan and Jonathan. JR's sons Aidan and Colin will miss their Grandi, as will Alex's son, Sam, and daughter, Robin. Sister-in-law, Jean and nephews from Bright Ontario and afar. She was loved and supported by Fran, Martha, Nancy, Monika, Jim, Joan, Shirley and Susie.