Jennie CAIRNS

CAIRNS, Jennie T. (nee Jacobson)
October 7, 1915 - January 23, 2013
Jacob and Carrie Jacobson immigrated to Canada from Norway in the early 1900's. They homesteaded in southern Sask. near Shaunavon. It was on that farm that Jennie was born on October 7, 1915.....there was no running water, no plumbing, no electricity.......a time before automobiles, television, microwaves, kleenex or paper towels. Image the dismay of this now 97 year old gal, when her grandchildren tried to explain how their iPhones worked. When Jennie started school, she only spoke Norwegian but quickly mastered English, and skipped two grades on her way to completing grade 11 at Outlook College, SK, at the age of 14. She learned the violin as a child, and eventually became an accomplished pianist. Jennie was a seamstress extraordinaire, enjoyed knitting, crocheting, gardening, and made THE best buns and lefsa. With failing vision later in life, she turned to large print crosswords, and playing solitaire cards daily. She was also an avid fan of hockey, tennis, curling and figure skating. Jennie and her late husband, Gordon, travelled extensively: Bermuda, England, Norway, New Zealand, Guatemala, Jakarta, Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong and numerous Canadian and U.S. destinations, including Hawaii. She worked for many years as a retail clerk, and was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, and Mt. Cavalry Lutheran Church. However, her greatest accomplishment and joy was being a Mom and a Grandmother. Although sweet and demure most of the time, she was known to have chased her son around the house with a wooden spoon due to his endless taunting of his little sister. Jennie certainly understood that there was nothing wrong with teenagers that reasoning would not aggravate. She was a mother who taught by example the importance of the character, laughter to the heart, and beauty to the soul. Memories of Jennie will be forever cherished by her son, Brock, his wife, Linda, and their children Cade and Paige; her daughter, Diane Kathrens, and her sons, Ty and Adam; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jennie was predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Carrie; her husband of 53 years, Gordon; her sisters, Ida Riise, Alvera Fuller, and Elaine Saende; her nephews Allen Miller, Bobby Fuller and Dalton Cairns; and her son-in-law, Steve Kathrens. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to: The Bayshore Home Care staff for their incredible work ethics and compassion; to the staff of the Manor Village at Huntington Hills for their friendship, laughter and caring attitude over the last 14 years; to the residents of the Manor Village for their companionship and for being Jennie's extended family; and to Dr. H. ter Keurs, Tracey, Anne, and the staff of the Cardiac Function Clinic, Health Science Building, Foothills Hospital, for ten years of miracles, full of efficiency, humour and amazing compassion.
Farewell, Jennie...Mom, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend....after 97 years of living life
to the fullest, may you enjoy the peace and serenity of being our Angel.
At Jennie's request, no Funeral Services will be held. To forward condolences, please visit our website: www.mountainviewmemorial.ca. Arrangements entrusted to MOUNTAIN VIEW MEMORIAL GARDENS, FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORIUM, 1605 - 100 Street S.E., Calgary, AB. Telephone: 403-272-5555.