Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 13, 2003.
HARCOURT-O'REILLY _ Jean 1915 - 2003 Jean Marguerite Harcourt-O'Reilly (nee Wylie), beloved wife of Mr. William Harcourt-O'Reilly of Calgary, passed away at the Wentworth Manor on Saturday, June 7, 2003 at the age of 87 years. Jean was born August 16, 1915 in Winnipeg, MB. She moved to Edmonton with her mother Laura and father Alexander Wylie. Following her mother's death she moved back to Winnipeg to the loving care of Grandma (Wylie) and Grandpa Birnie, Auntie Ella and Uncle Cliff, and the friendship of Cousin Gerry. They lived in Winnipeg until, at the age of thirteen, she moved to Chicago with Grandma and Grandpa. Jean spent two years in Chicago and had many happy summers with the Fletchers on their farm in the Chicago area. Eileen Fletcher was her closest friend and they remained close for life. In 1930, Jean came to Calgary to be with father Alex, stepmother Margaret and new half-sister Ruth. She attended Sacred Heart School and with her new friends attended St. Mary's High School for Girls. She was school president. Following graduation, she attended Mount Royal College, attained her Secretarial Diploma and worked for Tyndale Austin Agencies for several years. Jean married Bill on September 10, 1941 at St. Stephen's Anglican Church. They lived in Longview for two years when Bill was starting with AngloCanadian Oil and moved back to Calgary to start their family. The care of her family and home was very important to Jean. She loved to welcome people to her home, loved her garden and worked for the church and community. They lived in Kensington when it was new, and then in Scarboro for some thirty-five years where they enjoyed the friendship of many wonderful neighbours. After her family were grown, she worked at the Little Shop for several years and then at the W.R. Castell Central Library. Jean loved to read and to travel. She enjoyed many trips to Mexico, England, Europe and Barbados, researching her destinations before she travelled. Her love of reading was drastically curtailed when she developed macular degeneration; she greatly appreciated the talking books faithfully brought by Becky Lathrop. Jean remained in her home with Bill as they managed with her loss of vision. Bill moved to Hillcrest nursing home in October. They appreciated the care of Linda from Comcare. Jean was diagnosed with rectal melanoma in December and moved to Wentworth Manor in February into her own suite with all her important pictures and belongings around her. This was her world and she was very happy there. She made close friends with all the staff at Wentworth and received the very best of care and friendship. The family is forever grateful to them. Jean really enjoyed all the good times with the Cook-out gang and cherished those memories. She enjoyed the good fellowship with the Sewing Club members. Think of her at the summer birthday lunch. Besides her loving husband William, Jean is also survived by her daughter Susan Bain of Barbados; her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Carol of Calgary; her granddaughter Laura Lee (Martin) Reuter of Cochrane; and her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Ken Bond of Calgary; and cousin Geraldine York of New Westminster; and several nieces and nephews. We have a special thanks to Kenneth Coombs for all the jobs he did for them, for popping in just for a visit and for his friendship. We give special thanks to good friends, Dorothy and Ed Klovan and Barbara and Vern Lindeburgh. They were always available to help with lifts, visits, friendship, shopping and many other kind acts. The family thanks Dr. Peter Neary, Home Care Coordinator Barbara Ashley and Home Care Palliative Care Suzie Caccavo. A Celebration of Jean's life will be held at Scarboro United Church (134 Scarboro Avenue S.W.) today, June 13, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Judy Chapman officiating. To e-mail expressions of sympathy:
[email protected] subject heading: Jean Harcourt-O'Reilly. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 1825 Park Road S.E., Calgary, Alberta T2G 3Y6 (Telephone 403-264-5549) or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 215 - 12 Avenue S.E., Calgary, Alberta T2G 1A2 (Telephone 403-205-3966). In living memory of Jean Harcourt-O'Reilly, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES "Park Memorial Chapel", 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY. Telephone: 403-243-8200. 135597
