Jean Dolores Stirton

Jean Dolores Stirton passed away at home on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at the age of 89 years. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Rev. John Carley will officiate and interment will be in Sunset Cemetery. Jean was predeceased by her husband Geoffrey; her parents Peter and Jennie Baird; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Nora and Reginald Stirton; her sisters and their husbands Lois (Fred) Freeman and Katherine (William) Lamb; her brother-in-law Frank Stirton; sister-in-law Doris Spicer; and her nephew Doug Freeman. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Sharon (Larry) Samcoe and their children Peter (Amy) and Mark, Larry (Shelley Onrait) Stirton and their children Kerry (Derek) Skrudland, Carrson & Rhett, Kim (Morgan) Buckingham, Claire & Lilian, Ryan (Sheena) Onrait, Chase, Carter & Makenzie, Kirk (Julie) Onrait, Michael & Jayden, Derek Armour, Linda (William Christensen) Stirton and their children Kel and Berk, Colleen (Ted) Tremel and their children Geoffrey, Tara and Stephanie; her sister Shirley (Ed) Sheppard; brothers-in-law Alan (Bernice) Stirton and Jim (Irene) Stirton; and many nieces and nephews. Jean was born on May 6th, 1920, the eldest of four girls, at the Providence Hospital in Moose Jaw. She grew up on the family farm in the Pasqua district. During her formative years she developed tenacity, courage and a love for life that endeared her to family and friends. Jean attended school at Pasqua and graduated from Oxford Collegiate in Moose Jaw. In 1943 Jean married Geoffrey Stirton and moved to his farm in the Boharm District. Jean and Geoffrey enjoyed a rich and fulfilling life together for 48 years. She lived the rest of her life on the farm, spending winters in Arizona from 1976 to 2006. Jean faced life with enthusiasm and was always involved in her community. She was Worthy Matron of the Caron Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and received her 60 year pin while a member of the Moose Jaw Chapter. She was a committed member of the Daughters of the Nile, Wa Wa Ladies Auxiliary and the UCW of Boharm United Church. She was a long time member of Boharm and Minto United Churches. Jean loved to curl and golf, and took up shuffleboard during her winters in Mesa, Arizona. She loved music, dancing and playing the piano at home, church and in the community. Her character and warmth drew people to her and made the farm a gathering place where family and friends were always welcome. She was the “lady” of our family and we will remember and love her always. For those so wishing, memorial donations in Jean’s name may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Sick Children, c/o Moose Jaw Shrine Club, Box 1329, Moose Jaw, Sask. S6H 4R3 or to the Moose Jaw Union Hospital – Palliative Care, 455 Fairford St. East, Moose Jaw, Sask. S6H 1H3.