WILKIE, Jessie Elizabeth “Nana” (nee Brown), 1916-2007
Jessie, our “Nana”, of Brooks left us on Feb. 1, 2007 to be with her beloved Ron who predeceased her in 2000.
Jessie was born in Maple Creek, Sask. on February 25, 1916. She moved to Brooks at age eight and lived there for the rest of her 90+ years. Jessie was a devoted wife, mother, and Nana, who was also deeply involved with community life. She taught Sunday School for 43 years, was Brown Owl to generations of Brownies, served with the Kin-ettes and K-ettes, twirled with the Pheasant Promenaders square dance club, and spent countless hours sorting, repairing, and pricing articles for the United Church Thrift sales. Her final tour of duty as a volunteer was as a reader bringing the joy of books to patients at the Newell Nursing Home.
Jessie loved her Wednesday afternoon Bridge Club. Not only the playing, but the players. The cast of characters changed a bit over forty years or so but the laughter, good natured ribbing, and the stakes never did. They’re still playing for the same two dimes they did when they started. Jessie played a few hands with some of her bridge club friends in her hospital room a couple of weeks before she passed away. She loved those games especially.
Jessie and Ron had one of the first cabins at Lake Newell and enjoyed countless hours of relaxation and companionship there with their family and lifelong friends. John and Bunty Bell, Dale and Esther Smith, Ed and June Lewendon, Jeff and Agnes Philpott, Bev and Lucille Nelson, Bob and Helen Baxter, Tom and Betty Sewall, Hugh and Shirley Bevan, Schellenbergs, Elliks, and Mahoneys were all pioneers of the Kinbrook Island cabin development. Jessie would move to “the Lake” the day after school was out and return begrudgingly to the amenities of town life on the Labour Day long weekend in time for the kids to start school.
After all the kids were gone, the cabin felt empty and Jessie turned her hand to gardening. Jessie and Ron’s yard became the envy of many Brooksites. Jessie loved everything about the garden from the tilling, to the seeding, to the tending, to the harvest of her prize winning flowers and vegetables. Jessie declared more than once, “I love to weed.”
The garden, the beautifully treed yard, (and several tons of well-placed suet and birdseed) attracted birds by the score. Birdwatching and identification brought hours of joy to Jessie. It was a pursuit she shared with Ron almost every day while sitting at the dining room table or enjoying their daily car rides around the EID. Owls, hawks, waterfowl, upland game birds, songbirds . . . all were special to her. Jessie fielded many phone calls from neighbours and friends asking her to identify their latest sighting. If she couldn’t identify it, she had the book that would.
After Ron’s passing, Jessie and Ron’s brother Jim, our “Uncle Jim” became as close as any brother and sister could. They had daily contact with each other reminiscing about old times and thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. When Jim could no longer come by her apartment, Jessie visited him in the Nursing home daily up to the day of his death.
Jessie started a new chapter when she moved into the Newbrook Lodge. She loved the companionship offered by old friends and welcomed her chance to meet new ones. She tried to sit at a different table for dinner every day so she could get acquainted with her neighbours. She enjoyed her years at the Lodge to the fullest. “This is just the perfect place for me!”
Jessie was taken care of in her final days by the incredible staff at the Brooks Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, who made her feel at home and loved. Doctors, nurses, and all support staff . . . A hug from Jessie and special thanks from her goes to each of you. Many friends visited and made Jessie’s time in the hospital fulfilling. (Edna . . . Jessie loved your daily visits.)
Her many dear friends will remember Jessie for her amazing red hair, brisk stride, youthful outlook, eternal optimism, kind heart and humour, but mostly for her musical, infectious laugh. She loved you all and “made no bones about it.”
Jessie is survived by her children: Donna Jean Shields, Diane Porter (Gordon), and Barry Wilkie (Johanna), grandchildren Jefry, Scott, Joel and Jennifer Shields, Dean, Ross, and John Leask, Heather and Andrew Wilkie, two step grandchildren Alexis and Elena Porter, and seven great grandchildren, Mac, Billy, Rylee, Amber, Ryan, Natalia, and Taran.
A celebration of Jessie’s life will be held at Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Brooks, Alberta, Thursday, February 8, 2007, 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Palliative Care, c/o Brooks Health Centre, Attn: Cindy Young, Bag 300, 400-3rd St. E, Brooks, AB T1R 1B3
