Obituary of Jean Robertson

After a long battle with illness, aged 93, at Passamaquoddy Lodge, St Andrews, NB on March 3, 2017. Born on May 11, 1923 in Malagash, Nova Scotia, the much loved daughter of Effie May (MacFarlane) and Levi Gordon Stevens, Jean grew up on a farm with three brothers, Lloyd, Don, and Webster. Perhaps that is where she learned to hold her own and to act with a steadfast determination to do the right thing. After attending Mount Allison University and graduating from the Montreal General Hospital School of Nursing, Jean spent her life in the service and support of others- as a practicing RN, and as a wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, and niece. Jean was a member of Rockingham United Church and a life member of the UCW there. She was a great cook. She was also adventurous, and she was always ready to try new things. She travelled to Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska with her husband, Robbie, and especially loved returning again and again to Barbados. She flew by herself to the High Arctic to visit her daughter, going out on the land in freezing temperatures. She took her granddaughter to Ireland and braved a Guinness there. She also travelled the Maritimes and Ontario by car with her sister-in-law, Dorothy, whale watching and getting lost more than once. At age 85, she famously made the Air Canada no fly list, apparently because of a more infamous M. Robertson. Once, she narrowly missed being crushed by a falling tree while visiting the outhouse at the family cottage. Jean spent many summers, first with Robbie and then independently, at her summer home near Lockeport where she loved to walk the beach and enjoyed time in their gazebo- doing the cryptoquote, sipping a gin and tonic, playing Probe with friends, or munching on Tostitos. It was not what she did, however, but who she was, that affected those who knew her. Jean was special. She was unfailingly charitable, generous and kind to everyone and everything- with the exception of houseplants! She was truly interested in people and she judged no one, always looking for the best in anyone she met. She was especially appreciated for her positive outlook, her ready smile, her uncomplaining acceptance of whatever life threw at her, and her ability to enjoy life and have fun, whether it be through games or social gatherings. Our family could not have had a better role model. Jean is predeceased by her brothers and by her husband, H. Burton Robertson. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Pierce (Steve) and son Ian; her much loved grandchildren Jan (Noah Moser), Laura (Ron Allen) and Jeff (Andrea Isabelle); her great granddaughter, Alice Moser; as well as nieces and nephews who were very special to her. A very heartfelt thank you to friends Helen and Len Sweett, who did so much to support her, and to the staff at Passamaquoddy Lodge who cared for her so well during the last four years of her life. Jean has been cremated and a private family service will be held at a later date. Donations to Jean’s memory may be made to Passamaquoddy Lodge, St Andrews, N.B. In the words of Ron Hynes, “God speed,” and “God bless” this “sweet soul”… When God saw you getting tired And a cure was not to be He put his arms around you And whispered come to me He didn’t like what you went through And he gave you rest His garden must be beautiful He only takes the best And when we saw you sleeping So peaceful and free from pain We wouldn’t wish you back To suffer that again Today we say goodbye And as you take your final rest That garden must be beautiful Because you are one of the best. Anonymous