With great sadness, we announce the passing of Jane Burd, after a brief stay in hospital. Though we were reluctant to part with her, it was clear that she was ready to go and her greatest wish was to be re-united with her beloved husband Paul, both in this world (through burial) and the next. We will ensure the former and trust that she gets her wish regarding the latter.
Born in Guelph, Ontario in 1927, Jane is predeceased by her parents Matthew and Mabel (nee Hatch) Forsyth, her Uncle Fred and Aunt (Mary) Eva (nee Hampton) Hatch who raised her following her mother’s demise, and her loving husband of 73 years (Charles) Paul Burd. She is survived by her children Peggy Howorth (Peter Leiss), David Burd (Ruthie Burd) and Brenda Burd, grandchildren Terry Howorth, Brendan Burd, Dylan Burd and Adrienne Ashby, along with various nieces and nephews.
Mom’s early life growing up in Guelph was not easy. Her father died in a tragic accident when she was still an infant. At the tender age of 11, her mother died of cancer and she was orphaned. She found a new home with her aunt and uncle (her mother’s brother Fred and his wife Eva) who had no children of their own. They lived in Collins Bay Ontario where, after completing elementary school, she went on to high school in nearby Kingston. After graduating from high school, Mom went to work for a lawyer in Kingston and during that time, she met her husband-to-be, Paul, who was attending Queen’s University. They met on a blind date arranged by Dad’s cousin, a friend of Mom’s. Jane and Paul married in 1947 and moved to London, Ontario following Dad’s graduation from teacher’s college. They eventually bought a house near the University of Western Ontario and raised their three children there. In 1980, Mom and Dad moved to Picton, Ontario where Dad had successfully applied to be the principal of the high school. Preceding Mom to the new location, he nonchalantly bought a beautiful waterfront house out in the country, proudly displaying it to his nonplussed wife upon her arrival in ‘the County’. Gradually and somewhat reluctantly, Mom adjusted to the new situation, finding new bridge buddies, and meeting new people about town and at Picton United Church. She also joined the local hospital auxiliary where she enjoyed working and interacting with people in the coffee shop. In 2006, Mom and Dad moved to Sidney B.C. where our sister Brenda was living and moved into a bright and spacious condo (strata) apartment that she had acquired in a very serendipitous manner, as if it was meant to be that they should live out their final years there. In Sidney, Mom met a new group of friends through St. Paul’s United Church and her new volunteer gig at the Shoal Centre, a senior’s assisted living residence.
Due perhaps to the early loss of her parents, Mom could be quite reserved upon first meeting people but turned into her warm and engaging self once she got to know them. Dad always referred to her as Jean but in later life she reverted to her given name, Jane. She loved being with fiends, playing bridge, travelling, reading and spending time at the family cottage on Lake Weslemkoon. She embodied many of the best human qualities – kindness, honesty, fairness, generosity to those in need, and a deep respect for humanity. She was a keen observer of current events, unable to turn away from the news, even as it got worse over time. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family. Rest in peace, Mom.
Jane will be interred during a private family ceremony in Deseronto, Ontario, next to her beloved husband Paul.
Donations in Jane’s memory can be made to Plan Canada.
Condolences for Jane may be left on the Simply Cremations and Funerals (Sidney) website.