Jean POCOCK

POCOCK, Jean (nee Elsie Jean Kitchen) - September 17, 1917 - October 27, 2012 Born in Toronto, Ontario, Jean Pocock was the dear daughter of the late Byron Clifford and Elsie May Kitchen and the beloved wife of the late Neil O'Neill Pocock. She was the sister of the late Wilbert (Bob) Kitchen. Jean graduated from Havergal College in 1936 and the University of Toronto in 1940. In 1941, Jean married Neil and moved to London, Ontario where they raised their children. Jean is survived by three of her loving children: Ann Pearce of Woodstock, Nancy Pocock of Newmarket and Douglas (and his wife, Linda) Pocock of Oakville. Jean was a devoted grandmother to Douglas Pearce (and his wife, Carmen); Emily Pearce (and her husband, David Bibona); to Heather Hammond (and her husband, Dale); and to Thomas and Julie Pocock. Jean was delighted to be great- grandmother to Angelina Horta. Jean is further survived by her brother-in-law Father Gerald Pocock; niece Pam Bazinet (and husband Paul) and children Alice and Gordon; her nephew Robert Kitchen (and wife Barbara) and children Henry, Andrea and Clifford; her niece Judy Pocock and children Sarah and Paul. Jean is fondly remembered by her dearest friends and first cousins Barbara (and Bruce) Joscelyn; Joy (and John) Bardsley; and Tom (and Lucy) Everist. Jean and Neil's first child, Peter, passed away in 2007 and had cerebral palsy. As such, Jean championed the rights of inclusion for her son and others and was one of a small group of women who in the 1950s petitioned the London School Board for a classroom for disabled children. During the first year, a school room was provided leaving mothers to teach their children. The following year, a teacher was assigned to London's first class for special-needs children. Jean and Neil were instrumental in the start-up of London's Woodeden Camp and funding efforts for the first crippled children's treatment centre in London. Together, they dedicated a lifetime of effort to bettering the lives of handicapped children. Always active within the community, Jean's involvement with the IODE and her book and bridge clubs spanned more than 50 years. A service will be held at the Brock and Visser Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave., Woodstock (519-539-0004), on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. Visitation will commence at 10:00 a.m. and be followed by an 11:00 a.m. service. A private family burial at Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto will be held on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, "Sick Kids Foundation", would be appreciated and may be arranged through Brock and Visser Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.brockandvisser.com