Ethel “Jean” Mckenzie
MCKENZIE, Ethel “Jean” (Langille) – 93, of Truro, passed away December 13, 2017 in Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro.
Born in Truro on September 10, 1924, she was a daughter of the late A.A. and Emelyn (Dickie) Langille.
She married Ian Mckenzie on May 9, 1945 and they lived in Calgary, Montreal, Summerside, P.E.I., Goose Bay, Nfld., Nameo, Centralia, Ottawa, Dartmouth. When her husband retired in 1969 they settled in Truro.
For a short time Jean was a CGIT Leader and volunteered at the Colchester Regional Hospital. Due to her younger daughter joining the school band, Jean became very involved with the Truro District Bands where she volunteered for over 30 years while Ron Mackay and Paul Barrett were the music teachers and band directors. The band members (her kids as she called them) had left her with many happy and fond memories and she considered those as great days.
This led to becoming involved with the Nova Scotia Band Association and the Nova Scotia Musicfest Advisory Board, serving in each as secretary/ treasurer. For several years she was coordinator and secretary/treasurer with the Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble and volunteered with several N.S. Musicfests. Jean also volunteered for the first two years with the New Horizons Cobequid Band, directed by Paul Barrett.
During these years, Jean met many musicians from the Maritimes, other parts of Canada, The United States and Cuba.
In 1942 she taught school for one year on a permissive license at Riverside, Colchester County. The following year she took a business course at Success Business College run by Mr. and Mrs. Pirie. She received a volunteer award from the Town of Truro, the Governor General Caring Canadian Award from Governor General Adrian Clarkson, an Honorary High School Diploma (had one week of Grade 12 and then taught school) presented to her by CEC Principal Mike Hanson, her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee Medal presented by Bill Casey, MP.
Jean is survived by her two daughters, Diane Maclean (Jude Moffatt), Karen (Dennis) Moerman and her son Scott ( Arlene); grandsons, Andy (Nia Stassos) Maclean, Paul (Melissa) Maclean, William Moerman, Joshua MCKenzie; granddaughters, Ali (Matt) Brown, Holly (Bill) Stockwell, Ashley (Aaron) Bonvie; great-grandchildren, Emma and Mya Brown, Quinn and Isla Maclean, Rachel and Peter Bonvie, AJ Stockwell; nieces, Catherine (Jeffery) Sheldrake, Dierdre Roeser; nephew, Ian Roeser and her “furbaby” and companion, Mineau.
She was predeceased by her husband S/L Ian Mckenzie, her parents and sister, Margaret (Stirling) Ross.
Many thanks go to the VON for all their help and a special thanks to Dr. Neil Bower, the staff of CEHHC and EHS. A very special thank you to her friend Lori Delaney, who always went the extra mile.
Should anyone wish to make a donation in Jean’s memory, they may go to the Colchester S.P.C.A.
Cremation has taken place under the care of Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. A Celebration of Life service will take place in the New Year. Online messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.colchestercommunity.com.