Sadly, I can't attend the funeral services but thankfully my life is full of memories of her.  Here are but a few.

My earliest memory is of this red, white and grey dress that she made for me when I was young enough to be playin with dolls.  It had a flared skirt, and ties to make a beautiful bow, rounded collar and the best thing was that she made the exact same dress for my doll.  We were twins.  Then there was the dress she made for me with the hat to match as I stood as Lorraine's flower girl, I think I was 4.  Then of course my first communion dress and my grade 8 graduation dress.  When Canada turned 100, I was a Girl Guide and she made me a long purple pioneer dress trimmed in velvet brown.  I wore it once to serve at the Girl Guide tea, but with the detail in every stitch she sewed it could have been worn daily for years.

I remember going to her house for Sunday dinners.  She would open up the Gateleg table and spread it with china and silverware.  It was so cool to eat in the front room.  I loved that table and was always amazed how it would transform from a side table in front of the window to this massive table where all six of the Johns kids could sit comfortably with the adults.

She was the person who woke me up on the day Keith was born and told me I had a new baby brother.  I remember that wonderful smile she gave me.

I am sure I told her tales, but I remember lying to her one day.  She was sitting at the table in the kitchen on Queen Street, and she was sewing something, I don't remember what.  Well I was totally engrossed in that machine, I could't believe how it just whizzed along.  She got up to do something and I turned the tension knob.  When she came back and started sewing again, she turned to me and asked if I had touched anything....no, I cowardly said and denied any action.  She knew, I knew and that is were it stayed.  I wondered how she would know and loving sewing as much as I do, I know how she knew.  Years later I shared that story with her and we laughed at it.   Sorry Auntie, forgive me!

She was understanding, I wonder how many people would let their spouse build a minature train station in the house?

She helped me prepare for my parent's 25th Anniversary and held it at her house.

When my daughter Jes and I went to visit her in the first home she lived in, she talked and talked of how she loved to dance, complaining that the people didn't get up to join her.  When she was in Pioneer Manor, Mary Ellen, her son Nicholas and I went to visit and we decided to take her out for coffee.  She wanted to go to Gloria', how she loved going there.  We took her to the Tim Horton's at the corner of Lasalle and Notre Dame.  Ronnie found us there.  Auntie was waiting to be picked up and go out with him, but we accidently got to the Manor before him.  Thankfully he found us and she left with him to visit with the family.  We laughed about kidnapping her.  It was a definitely a priceless heist.

My last visit with her was a while ago.  I walked into the Manor and was asking for her room # when I caught sight of her walking by the elevators.  Billy was there taking her for a coffee.  We sat together, three generations and chatted.  It was wonderful to be with her and Billy.  Their love for each other touched my heart.  She so proud of him, he so loving and caring to her.  

Auntie Jeanette was a wonderful example to me. She was devoted to her family, loved Uncle Cliff dearly, strong in her faith, loving to her grandchildren, kind to her neices and nephews and considerate of all.  She gave all of us unconditional love.

I am so very thankful to have sat at her knee, received her kindness and be surrounded by her joy.  I will miss her, but never forget her.

I am going to spend sometime sewing and thinking of her.

Love you Auntie, God be with you until we meet again.

Debie