JEAN B. PURDY (MITCHELL)

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JEAN B. PURDY (nee MITCHELL) On January 20, 2014 at Minnedosa Hospital, our much loved aunt and friend passed away peacefully at the age of 99. Jean was born on the family farm north of Roblin, MB on November 1, 1914 to John and Helen Mitchell. After Jean's father died accidentally on the farm and her brother, Jack, was born; Helen took the children back to her family in Scotland where Jean started school. They returned back to the farm and Jean finished school in Roblin. Jean was involved in the Canadian Girls in Training Program attending many camps in RMNP and she was a member of the Roblin Women's Institute. Jean first taught school at Timber, 20 miles north of Roblin. On October 7, 1942, Jean married Donald Robertson from Roblin. Donald was in the RCAF taking flight training and they lived in Vulcan, AB and Dauphin, MB. After the war, they went back to the farm for a few years before Donald returned to take more flight training in Gimli, MB. They moved again when he was transferred to Trenton, ON as a flight instructor. He was killed in a plane crash in Dorval, Quebec in 1953. Jean moved to Winnipeg and attended Teachers College in 1954-55. She taught at three elementary schools in the Winnipeg School Division, then moved into their Art Department where she loved teaching art classes. On June 30, 1956, Jean married her soul mate, Arnold O. Purdy from Birtle, MB, also a teacher and principal. They lived in Winnipeg and they delighted in hosting parties, especially around the pool. They both loved visiting friends, attending church, going to the theatre, concerts, camping and cruise trips. After Arnold passed away in 1995, Jean continued to play bridge and travel, both internationally and local trips with senior groups. She enjoyed golfing and curling, loved to volunteer in the St. Boniface Hospital Gift Shop and was an active member of the United Church Women. Jean found much happiness in her many nephews and nieces on both sides of the family. In June, 2009, she moved to Riverwood Square where she played weekly bridge games and attended activities there. She really enjoyed people coming to visit. She went into hospital the day before her 99th birthday with pneumonia which she couldn't beat, despite her strong will and great sense of humour. Jean was predeceased by her parents, first husband Donald Robertson, second husband Arnold Purdy, brother J.R. "Jack" Mitchell and sister-in-law Ethel Mitchell. Jean is missed by her three nephews: Robert (Marilyn) Mitchell of Amarillo, TX, Brian (Marilyn) Mitchell of Regina, SK and Scott (Alexis) Mitchell of Saskatoon, SK and their families; by Arnold's nephew Leonard (Cathy) Wark and niece Yvonne Chambers, all of Minnedosa, MB and their families; by cousins in Canada and Scotland and by many good friends. As Jean wished, there will not be a funeral service. A private interment will take place on July 10, 2014. If friends so desire, a donation may be made to the Victoria General Hospital Foundation, 2340 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2E8. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 14, 2014