September 3, 1923 – July 17, 2017
Jean Jordan passed away peacefully in Nanaimo on the morning of July 17, 2017. She was predeceased by her husband Wilbert Jordan, son David, and two great grandchildren Ethan David and Charlotte Sharelaine. Jean was also predeceased her father, Eugenio Gava, a casualty of the Number 10 Mine explosion at South Wellington in December 1940, and by her mother Rose Devine Gava in 1953.
Jean Marie Jordan is survived by two sons John and his wife Tina, Phil and his wife Marilynn, daughter-in-law Dianne wife of David, and sisters Dorothy Johnstone, June O’Connor, and their families.
Jean was the beloved Nana of Lisa Jordan and Kris Erickson, Kimberley and Jeffrey Waara, Jake Jordan, Denay and Calvin Peters, Codie and Jacob Booth, Amandah and Tony Domovich, Marissa Jordan, Paige and Aaron Gubeli, Jenna Jordan, Zoe Waara, Jane Peters and Aristaeus James Peters.
Jean Marie Gava was born in Fort Langley on September 3, 1923 and came to Nanaimo as a very young child. She graduated from the John Shaw High School, Class of 1942, and was one of the driving forces behind its reunion 60 years later. In June 1943 Jean married Wib Jordan. When they met, Jean and Wib enjoyed dances at the Pygmy Pavilion and later took up square dancing. Among their favourite holiday spots were Shack Island and Horne Lake where the family had one of the original cabins in the bay. While Jean worked for Copp Shoes on Commercial Street, Wib worked for Shell Oil and shortly thereafter began a lifelong career with the Nanaimo Fire Department. In 1971 Jean, a natural educator, joined School District 68 as an Education Assistant first at Quarterway School and then Dufferin where she continued to volunteer long after her retirement. Jean was a Girl Guide Leader, a curler and part of a Sewing Group of dear friends who met Tuesday nights for over 40 years. Always a competitive athlete and a sports fan, Jean was the first woman in British Columbia to be certified as a basketball official. She and Wib refereed many local games and were on the floor together whenever the Harlem Globetrotters came to town. Avid supporters of their sons’ sports they volunteered and offered tireless support of minor football, baseball, lacrosse and hockey. Jean was frequently tasked with scoring, announcing, and ferrying carloads of players to games all over the Island.
Jean enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s plays, recitals, meets and games. She liked to take photographs and organized many albums as gifts for her family.
After Wib’s passing, Jean maintained her ties to the Nanaimo Fire Department, often stopping by the Number 1 and Number 2 Halls with a batch of her fabulous lemon tarts.
The Jordan Family would like to thank April and the wonderful team of caregivers at Dover House for their compassion and dedication to making Jean’s final years comfortable.
A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at the Nanaimo Yacht Club, Saturday September 9 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Jean’s memory to the Nanaimo SPCA.