ALISON JEAN GARNER

Alison Jean (MacLeod) Garner, 85, of Fort Frances, Ont., passed away suddenly on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.
Jean was born March 19, 1924 in Chatham, N.B. to the late J. Frederick and E. Janet (Simpson) MacLeod.
After graduating from high school in 1941 and a business course at St. Michaels’ Academy Business School, Jean attended the Radio College of Canada in Toronto in 1942. For the rest of World War II, she was a radio operator at the RCAF base in Chatham.
After the war, she worked as a secretary for the Ministry of Fisheries in Newcastle, N.B., and from 1947-49 was the executive secretary for the N.B. Minister of Fisheries in Fredericton.
It was in Fredericton where she met George Garner. They were married on May 18, 1949 in Chatham and celebrated their 60th anniversary in May, 2009.
Following their marriage, they lived in Quebec City while George worked on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. In late 1950, they moved to Atikokan, Ont., where their sons were born.
From Atikokan, the family moved to Fort Frances, and then to Kenora, before returning to Fort Frances in 1970.
Jean was a member of Knox United Church and the U.C.W., and a long-time member of the Winona Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
She loved sailing, good coffee with one drop of cream, fashion, walking with Doreen et al, the social aspect of bridge and coffee club, travelling anywhere, Christmas, and receiving and sharing flowers from George’s garden (but make no mistake–she usually took the best rose).
Jean was predeceased by her parents; her husband, George, in May, 2009; two sisters-in-law, Winnifred Burton and Jean Dunsmore; two brothers-in-law, Walter Burton and Albert Ashley; and a nephew, Paul Dunsmore.
Jean is survived by two sons, John and wife, Elaine, of Blairmore, Alta., and Brian of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and two grandchildren, Sean and Trevor Garner of Edmonton, Alta.
She also is survived by two sisters, Bernice Fall of Smith’s Parish, Bermuda and Winnifred Ashley of Canmore, Alta.; three nieces, Lynn Dunsmore, and Lorrie and Diane Ashley; three nephews, Leslie and Don Burton, and Rande Ashley; two step-nieces, Jennifer Godwin and Alyson Intson; and brother-in-law, Art Dunsmore, and sister-in-law, Edith Aylsworth.
A memorial service to celebrate Jean’s life will be held Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances, with Rev. Barb Miller officiating.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either La Verendrye General Hospital, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7 or the Canadian Mental Health Association—Fort Frances Branch, P.O. Box 446, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8, or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com