Jean (Rayner) Munro

Jean Cleven Shirley Munro (neé Rayner) of Lacombe passed away into her Heavenly Father’s loving arms at the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre on October 3, 2018. 

Jean was born August 22, 1927 on the farm of a neighbouring midwife, close to Lancer, SK.  Her dream from a young age was to become a teacher.  One of her earliest memories was “teaching” her doll, the dog and her favourite cat, Pansy – although she often commented her doll was the only one to sit still!  At sixteen years of age, after a mere few months of training at “Normal” School, Jean took charge of a one room schoolhouse with 40 students in rural SK.  Reading the “Anne of Green Gables” series motivated her move to Prince Edward Island where she continued to teach.  A need for funds for further education to become a Speech Pathologist and a sense of adventure resulted in a decision to teach in the Arctic for a year or two.  She stepped off the plane in Baker Lake, NU and met her destiny – a young, handsome Scottish Hudson’s Bay Clerk named Bill Munro.  The first 12 years of their married life were spent in Coppermine, NU where 3 of her 4 children were born.  In 1970, they moved to Ft. Chipewyan, AB for 2 more years with The Bay.  Then it was on to Grande Cache and their own business for 12 years.  In 1984, they bought the Tees General Store.  After 9 years of enjoying the wonderful, close-knit community there, Bill’s health necessitated retirement to Lacombe.  Over the years, Bill and Jean made many trips to Scotland which Jean considered to be her second home.  Jean will be remembered as a strong, fiercely independent woman who loved deeply. And who could forget her bowling and the many, many trophies she won!

She had very decided opinions and instilled in her children the values of integrity, honesty and hard work.  She will also be remembered for her sense of humour and quick wit.  She had boundless energy and creativity and loved to organize community events.  She never forgot her farm roots and every year grew a huge garden, the bounty of which she enjoyed sharing.  She was a talented seamstress, knitter, cross-stitcher and “handicrafter”.  Many of her friends will remember her Robbie Burns suppers – complete with the parading in and stabbing of the Haggis. 

She was the rock of her family and is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Shane (Russ) MacRae, Cathy (Rob) Hitchon; sons, Sandy (Cathy) and Ian (Sam); seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1998 and by her three sisters and three brothers.  Many thanks to Dr. McKibbon and the nurses on Unit A for their compassionate care. 

A Public Visitation will be held at Wilson’s Funeral Chapel, 6120 Hwy 2A, Lacombe on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, 5015 C&E Trail, Lacombe on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. 

If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Diabetes Canada, 1400-522 University Avenue, Toronto ON M5G 2R5 www.diabetes.ca, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 1A Street SW, Calgary AB T2H 0G5, or to St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, 5015 C&E Trail, Lacombe AB T4L 1N5.  

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