Obituary of Jean Lillian (Priddell) Rawlins

A life well lived.

Jean Lillian Rawlins (Priddell) passed away at the grand old age of 97 with family by her side.

Born on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1928 in Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, she was the eldest child of Stan and Florence Priddell with 4 younger brothers, Ken (Lorraine), Barry (Shirley), Bob (Jean) and Bill (Rose). She grew up on a prairie farm riding her horse to school.  After high school, she graduated from The Grey Nuns’ Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1950.

Her greatest joy was her family. She married her high school sweetheart, Don Rawlins, in May, 1951. Her family blossomed to include three daughters, Donna (Danny), Debra, Lou and a son, Rob (Cathy). 

Due to her husband’s corporate career, the family moved countless times across Canada. No matter where she lived, she had a gift for turning a house into a warm and welcoming home with the smells of fresh bread and children’s laughter - a friendly gathering place for the whole neighbourhood.

After raising her family, she returned to her nursing career. She finally retired at the age of 70.

Life was an adventure – full of world travelling, boating and fishing in the summers, hostessing large parties at the drop of a hat, making friends everywhere, and enjoying life to the fullest.  Every family member received a lovingly hand-made sweater. She belonged to numerous bridge clubs,volunteered for a number of organizations, gardened with a green thumb, and loved to regale her stories through her journal writing group.

Family gatherings for Sunday suppers often welcomed others who did not have family of their own. The preparation of incredible meals, and great fun playing cards, especially cribbage, have been passed down as family traditions.

Her cheerful nature and beautiful smile will always be rememberd by her family. Her grandchildren Jai (Ron), Chenoa (Michael), Akaylah (Eliseo), Anuhea, Zach (Holly) and Melanie (Luke) and great-grandchildren Ciara, Parker, Maia, Ellis, Emilio, Mahealani, Jack, Henry and Phoebe were her pride and joy.

The family would like to thank the many staff members who cared so much for her at the Drew Nursing Home in her final years.

Her ashes will join those of her husband’s in the cemetery with other family members in Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Erin Campbell and staff at Cambell’s Funeral Home, 89 Bridge Street, Sackville, NB (506) 364-8188. Friends are welcome to a celebration of life on Saturday, September 20^th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Campbell's Funeral Home.

She was the best.