February 27, 1922 – November 13, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
The Greig family is saddened to announce the passing of its beloved mother and granny, Jean Dunlop Greig (nee Guthrie) on November 13, 2023, in Victoria, B.C., following a long (approaching 102 years!) and happy life.
Jean was much loved by her family. She was a caring, helpful and non-judgmental person, who would generally look to the positive and who was always quick to remind one that there was two sides to every story!
Jean was born in Comox BC on February 27th, 1922. She was the youngest and last-surviving child of Ella and Patrick Hugh (“Captain”) Guthrie.
She was predeceased by her siblings David, Effie, Patrick (“Pakky”) and Nancy, and by her husband, James Walter Greig (“Jim”).
She is survived by her children Jane Drown (Garry, deceased), Christine Southwick, Nancy Sly (Michael), and Charles (Bernice), numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren – even a great great grandchild! – and many nieces and nephews, all of whom were treasured.
Jean grew up on the family farm in Comox during lean times in the ’20’s and ’30’s but had a happy childhood with her siblings. Her tales of exploring the lovely woodlands on and around the farm and her relationships with the family’s various animals, particularly their much-loved milk cow “Sophie Sunbeam” entranced several generations of children. She was an animal and plant lover (particularly rhododendrons) for life – and was always up for a picnic!
Following high school, Jean worked for a time locally before entering nursing at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, obtaining her RN in 1944. It was at the Jubilee where Jean met Jim, who had been invalided home from the UK after serving in the Canadian Artillery during WWII.
Upon graduation she began work at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox, memorably recognizing the onset of the great central Island earthquake of 1946 and rushing outside to see the massive Douglas Firs swaying wildly on the hospital grounds.
Jean and Jim, both proud products of the Comox Valley, were married in May of 1947. They began their family in Nanaimo, where Jim was articling for his CA and where their daughters Jane and Christine were born.
In 1954, the family moved to Ocean Falls. It was there that many fond family memories and life-long friendships were made, and Nancy and Charlie were born. As Jim rose through the ranks of Crown Zellerbach Pulp and Paper Company, Jean and Jim raised their children and moved the family between two stays at each of Ocean Falls, Campbell River and Vancouver, where they eventually settled in West Point Grey.
In Vancouver, Jean enjoyed volunteering as a docent at the Vancouver Aquarium and VanDusen Gardens and walking her somewhat recalcitrant Scottish terriers in the woods of the University Endowment Lands across the street from the family home.
During the 1960’s, the family spent many very happy and shoeless times at their summer cabin at Vaucroft, on sandy North Thormanby Island, on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, where more close and life-long friendships were made.
In 1986 Jean and Jim realized their dream of retiring on the Gulf of Georgia. They built their final home at Dorcas Point, between Nanaimo and Parksville, and the years both during and after construction were satisfying and productive ones for these two hard workers. In 2009, they returned full circle, moving to a lovely condominium on Cameron “Island” in Nanaimo, where together they enjoyed watching the comings and goings in the busy harbour until Jim’s passing in 2014. Finally, in 2019, Jean moved southward to Victoria, where she resided in both Atria “The Victorian,” and latterly, in Amica Douglas House, where she received exceptional daily care from the wonderful staff, her dutiful daughters, and Drs. Priya and Ted Rosenberg.
Jean was an avid and skilled gardener and she and Jim were long-time supporters of a number of causes, including Milner Gardens and Woodland, Operation Smile, and SeedChange (formerly Unitarian Services Committee), which they donated to for over 70 years.
Should you wish to make a gift in Jean’s memory, the family would appreciate a donation to any of these charities. Also appreciated would be comments made to Jean’s online obituary at ‘Earth’s Option’: https://www.earthsoption.com/obituaries/Jean-Dunlop-Greig?obId=29916777.
A celebration of Jean’s life is planned for the late afternoon of May 18th, 2024, at Milner Gardens and Woodland, when the rhododendrons are in bloom.
Obituary-