32 Metcalfe Street West | Strathroy, Ontario N7G 1M6 | Phone: (519) 245-1023 | Email: office@dennings.ca
Tribute Wall
Tuesday
30
July
Funeral Home Visitation
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Denning's of Strathroy
32 Metcalfe Street West
Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
(519) 245-1023
Tuesday
30
July
Visitation
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Denning's of Strathroy
32 Metcalfe Street West
Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
(519) 245-1023
Wednesday
31
July
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Denning’s of Strathroy
32 Metcalfe Street West
Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
519-245-1023
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Yvonne rollason posted a condolence
Monday, August 19, 2019
I am posting this for posterity and for those of you who were not able to be at the funeral but wanted a copy of the eulogy. It was done by my son Steven Rollason:
Gramma's Eulogy July 31, 2019
“Dont look at Jimmy..Dont look at Jimmy”
Hello everyone. I am Bill and Jean Stephenson's oldest grandson.
My parents are Yvonne and Rolly Rollason.
I have lived in a golden age.
When I was born, and because of who I am, I was always lifted high, carried abroad, thrown high into the air and caught. Jean and Bill had 8 kids: Marsha, Vonnie, Keith, Jeannie, Kathy, Janice, Jimmy, Donny.
I had the most loving family I can express, great parents, great grandparents and 7 aunts and uncles all filled with the youthful exuberance that children have. Marsha was 20 when I was born, my mom 19, Donny was 9 old, with five others in between.
They spoiled me. I still am. My grandparents seemed like royalty and they made me feel like a crown prince.
Bill and Jean had laid such a firm foundation that scaffolding was easy to erect. So, their kids, us grandkids, the great great grandkids could climb ever higher.
Jean was our Queen and she ruled.
She was born Regina Helen Marath. She was the youngest of 11. She was her parents little Queen. That's what the name 'Regina' means.
Her father, a cobbler was so enamored with her that he took her everywhere with him. She was entertaining even at the age of 4 and would tap-dance for family friends and win coppers. His name was Louis. Her mom's name was Giselle. They were the Maraths.
Whenever Jean would talk about her parents her exclamations with fraught with "ohs", "ho's", and "they were so good"
They were of German descent. Not Hungarian, but German, she would tell you. Although her food was certainly Hungarian inspired.
We've always lived close to my grandparents. We first lived in a little house sectioned off from the tobacco farm in Caradoc. But no matter the distance, Gramma always tried to stay close.
It's just as well, because I was a handful and my mom needed her.
Gramma was soon there when i jumped out of my high chair and broke my arm, she was there when i ate deadly nightshade as a toddler; she was there when the wind caught a heavy oak door and clipped the end of a finger off. She would drive while my mom would wrap me up and console me and weep and wonder what she was doing wrong.
This was all before the age of 3 mind you. I was kind of bad.
Jean was always there. Even in the end, she stuck around til the last of her kids got home.
She had a wonderful way with words. She was the first person I ever heard says "shit!"
If she liked you she would feed you. If she didn't like you its because you were a "horses ass".
My grandparents treated us to our first Tbone steaks, and a multitude of us would hunker down in merriment and conversation and gnaw bones. Our best times always revolved around gatherings and food.
They bought me my first big Mac - I was six. I didn't finish it.
My grandparents tried to look after people. Just a couple of months ago one of their primers from 50 years ago stopped in to see Jean to thank her for looking after them so so well. That says a lot. After 50 years.
She worked so hard. 8 kids, all alive, none in jail. Even her hobbies were work. That's where my sister gets it from.
From mass production of fried chicken for 30 people a couple months ago, to the most ornate push pin bead Christmas ornaments that she would make and give away.
Family was just about everything to her.
Her care packages! Many of us were recipients of her care packages. Here's something strange I noticed though. No matter what I got...olives, cake mix, pudding, kraut swekels, gnukels, it always came with a couple rolls of toilet paper. Always. I don't know if at some point in the post 1930's she had to wipe her bum with newspaper or not, but she sure as heck wasn't going to let this happen to her grandson.
My grandmother taught me about forging strong families. She loved her sons and daughters in laws like blood. More than adopted, more than law...like they were hers....because they are.
She taught her kids to marry well, and boy did they. John, Rolly, Sue, Steve, Jody, Al, Joanne and Tracey were soon added into the fray, and we became stronger. We became a whole. And then a multitude of babies came, and they were the greatest sources of delight our clan had ever seen.
We are special, the Stephenson clan. We know this because we are told so by others, and because we have eyes that look onto this world and see what it can be, and is like, for so many others.
Gramma was always worried that once she was gone we would drift apart. Lets do our best to honor her, and not.
Funerals can bind, or they can fracture. This is Jean's funeral, so we best bind. Too much time and effort was put into us for it to be otherwise.
Gramma taught us that live is meant to be lived, but more importantly, to love and to be loved.
Let me tell you about her last days, so you see how its done.
11 days ago she was at my child's wedding. Epic. Amanda Mary married well, and as so many of you know, so many of your fears dissolve and fly away when this occurs. Gramma experienced this feeling 8 times.
Two days after the wedding she calls a daughter. Now take into account the wedding was a pretty arduous affair. As it turns out she had three leaky heart valves and pneumonia..but two days later she calls Jannie -and know this- Gramma was really good at laying guilt and getting what she wanted. She would make her voice all quavery and sad.
"How are you doing? What are you a doing?"
"Well the kids are here....."
This is all she need to hear..children, babies, gatherings.
"Oh well, I'm feeling kinda lonely and I could use a coffee."
And then she ended up sitting in a chair at her daughters house eating really good food and playing with baby Nora Violet for hours.
To love, and to be loved. And to giv'er, just giv 'er.
When we were maybe at our lowest, on Friday, when Last Rites had already been given, she broke free of those grey chains and said, " I love all you kids. I 'm going to see the rest of my family. I'm going to see Bill".
And lest you think that's the end...nope. Apparently she went all night owl and chirped nonstop late into the night in cogent, funny and open conversations with Sheri and Carrie. Those two pulled two all-nighters with her.
To quote my sister: "Gramma has been keeping Sheri and I entertained for most of the evening, with the exceptions of a few naps. Whoa! the stories we've heard! We gave her a bath, and prettied her up and she was so thrilled.
I cant think of two better people to minister to my needs than Sheri and Carrie. Angels.
Now drawing to a close, we should mourn but we should also celebrate. What a great life. What a great life she gave us.
As was told to me, " Jean passed away on Sunday Morning. At 6:18 as the sun was coming up. And she had her hair done up, and her makeup done, and she was dressed up in her fancy silk pajamas and she looked like a Queen.
Jean is in Heaven and because things are perfect there, this is how I imagine it might be.... but better.
There will be an excited shout, a cry of fulfilled expectation..and perhaps it will be in German.
"Louis, Louis, Es ist oonser Baby! See ist here-a. Und see is perfekt."
"Louis, Louis, It's our baby. She is here! And she is perfect"
And then after that welcome, a young man with bright, wet eyes and freckles will step out, and he will look like the day they were married and say,
"Hello Jeannie". And they will be reunited. For she has missed him for every day of 16 years.
And then Jean will meet God. Now, I don't think God would come out at first, because God is patient, he was patient with Jean and he has certainly been patient with me. God is love, and he loves love, and delights when love is shown to others.
Jean Stephenson: we'll see her again someday.
There is no rush though, because as she certainly proved, and believed, life on earth can be pretty magnificent.
I have lived in a glorious and golden age.
Thank you Gramma!.
Family Memories:
I remember in the summers after our baths and we were in our pjs how Mom would bring each of us out to sit on the porch and she would trim our nails holding us very close to her bosom so we couldn't get away. It was such a wonderful feeling
-Janice
"My mom was Honeybaby Gramma to my children. She was their sweet Gramma who loved sweets. She always had an abundance of candy bars in her cupboard.
One on particular occasion she treated my little ones: Aaron and Brittney, one age 7, the other 4 to a huge bagful of gummy savers.. Their favorite. Their eyes lit up.
She was such a lovely,thoughtful, loving Gramma to her grandbabies who lived far away from her everyday generosity.
She was precious then and she is precious now and we will miss her dearly. I love you Mom. We love you Mom.
I love you for loving my children. As you loved me.
-Jeannie
When I was growing up, I had two grandmas: my honey grandma and my other grandma. There was a great contrast between my grandmothers.
The one I will always remember was how Grandma Stephenson would call me honey girl.
All I needed to hear was her voice saying "hi honey girl ", to feel how much she loved me. There was something in her voice and the way she said those words that I instantly felt warm and very loved.
Last time I came home to Ontario from BC, was for Carl's wedding at New Year's. I distinctly remember grandma telling my husband that she thought I was perfect.
It was the first time my husband met grandma and I was so proud to have a grandma who praised me and loved me so confidently.
Being part of her family made her instantly, unconditionally love me.
There are a few people who I can say that I am 100% certain, truly love me.
Grandma was always one of those people.
I see Grandma and her spirit of persistently loving others in my mom
......and I hope I can be the same type of person as my honey grandma.
-Brittney
And more succinctly:
"I'll remember her for her strawberry rhubarb pie and fried chicken"
-Al
Y
Yvonne rollason posted a condolence
Friday, August 2, 2019
For our beloved mother, Jean (Regena) Helen Stephenson,
October 25, 1929 – July 28, 2019
This is the tribute to my mother, which I was able to give at the funeral service. It was requested by so many of you.My son Steven's tribute may be posted later.
My mother was an amazing person, a teller of stories both hilarious and sad, the keeper of her family’s oral history, (as much as she had ever been told, or had participated in.) She was also the repository of jokes that made us laugh on difficult days, and a singer of songs that were entirely her own, but will be imprinted on our memories forever, perhaps because of the humour with which she sang them, (or their... somewhat. ...questionable content.)Consequently, we as a family have all become story tellers and love nothing better than to spend an hour or two together, sharing them over and over.This verse was one I (her daughter, Yvonne) wrote in honour of my mom’s 89th birthday, (with the exception of the last few lines):
To Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the land of the USA,
Where the Ohio, the Allegheny, and Monongahela wend their way
Through a place once known as "Iron Town", for the strength of the people there,
And the industry that drew them, they came with a hope and a prayer.
They came for the chance to "make it", to pull their own weight and more;
In the year of our Lord, 1906, they knocked on America's door.
The parents of a daughter, as yet unborn, Gisella and Louis came,
With their feather ticks, and their pots and pans, and barely a cent to their name.
Theirs was a people in need of a home, in a country filled with strife;
Like all Swabians living in Hungary, they hoped for a better life.
These German speaking Marath's, were Austrians in their hearts,
But the borders had changed, and fortunes had changed;
What they needed most was new starts.
New countries, it's told, are built by those hewing wood and hauling water;
Louis hauled that water as blocks of ice, for the sake of his sons and daughters.
These were born with the quickly passing years, as he tried to put money away,
To return again to the shoe-making trade, before his hair turned grey.
Silver dollars could buy his freedom from ice blocks, and cart and horse,
But the best laid plans of mice and men oft come to nought, of course.
A thief broke in, one fateful night, and stole their nest-egg away.
The shoe-maker, bent by the weight of his load, must wait for another day.
Then finally it came, that longed for time, when dollars exceeded their need;
So leather was bought, and shoe-making lasts, and in his hand was the deed.
When Gisella was forty-two years old and Louis was forty-five,
And ten other siblings were already born, the eleventh one arrived.
Her oldest sister had children by then, who came right over to meet her
And hold their wee aunt, and kiss her, and whoop round the house, just to greet her!
Her parents called her Regena; in Latin the name means Queen.
She was Queen of their hearts from her very first cry, but most people called her Jean.
Which very soon became “Jeannie”, of course, to those who loved her best.
That was all that she would answer to; she chose to ignore the rest ―
Be it the priest on Holy Communion day, or the nuns at Catholic School,
So her parents enrolled her in public school, breaking a family rule.
All that whacking of pointers on their desks, and other nun-approved habits,
Had been too much for this sensitive child, friend of pink Easter chicks and rabbits.
So the doctor made her eat brewers' yeast to clear up her itching skin,
Which was most likely caused by the nervousness of helping do Easter chicks in,
When they grew to be chicken- dinner sized, like the one sister Mary had caught.
And tried to do in with a very dull knife, which proved to be all for naught,
For it still had plenty of stamina to chase Jeannie round their yard,
Wings down, and severed head flapping, with total disregard!
After fleeing from zombie chickens she was under adrenaline's spell;
She would spend her leisurely Saturdays jumping over an open well!
She and her girlfriend would bet one another, about who could make "The Leap".
If nobody fell in the well to their death, their allowance they got to keep.
Jeannie biked tandem down "Suicide Hill", 'til a crash broke her cousin’s teeth,
And took ribbons from the graveyard next door, from every funeral wreath!
The gold-foiled "Daughter" plaque over her bed sure gave her mother a start!
But the one thing that Jeannie never did, she never broke a heart,
Unless there was a secret admirer on that day that Jeannie left
For a brand new home in Canada, where she arrived, completely bereft,
On the day of her sixteenth birthday, at a house near the Caradoc dump,
Where, “The horse was huge! The cow was crazy! And the rats were well-fed and plump!”
The winter they spent there they nearly froze, as “the house had no insulation.”
They had no car, so she rode her bike “to the store by the reservation.”
When spring arrived they finally moved, when their farm-buying terms were complete.
Then Jeannie started going out a bit, with neighbour friends she would meet.
One special night, at a town-hall dance, she met a man named Bill.
The stars shone bright on that fateful night; and “That very first kiss was a thrill!”
Soon wedding bells were ringing, as he took her for his bride,
And for fifty six years of joy and bliss William Peter was at her side.
They had a lot of children; she was such a wonderful mother,
That as soon as the crib was empty they filled it with another.
(Well, sometimes not exactly the crib, sometimes the bassinet!
When Marsha was not quite one years old, she needed hers longer yet.)
So they got themselves a second crib, and later two little beds,
For Vonnie's, and little Keithie's, and little Jeannie's sleepy heads.
And soon enough, they bought bigger beds, as the bigger kids grew and grew,
Then there was one for Kathy, one for Janice, and for Jimmy and Donny too.
(Well, sometimes kids got to share a bed— whatever the room size allowed.)
And they all grew up on a farm so neat that it made every one of them proud.
Mom and Dad worked hard to give us all that any family needed.
They both tried hard to teach us right, and Mom, I'd say you succeeded.
We've not leaped over open wells, or caused any missing teeth;
Nor have we ignored any nuns (as yet) or ripped ribbons from funeral wreaths.
We have tried to make you proud of us, and followed your example,
Except for us having lots of kids; one or two seemed more than ample.
But we're glad that you thought differently, and that you took a gamble.
We're glad that we're all here because you and Dad chose to take a leap,
And your parents did too, or they wouldn't have had you,
And moved near that garbage heap,
Where no one else great would have taken you out, for fear of lurking vermin.
And then you met Dad, who would love you so much,
Hungarian, Austrian, or German,
Or Swabian, or American? Well, who could ever determine?
In the end, only one thing matters; this one thing I know is true.
You are a part of the people we loved. And we are a part of you.
And so we say goodbye to you now, knowing the gifts you gave carry on.
The stories, the songs and the memories will never ever be gone.
Love forever, Vonnie
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Mary DeKay posted a condolence
Friday, August 2, 2019
I just read about your mom's passing today. Dave and I send our condolences to you and your family. Your mom was a great matriarch and a great example to all. So sorry for your loss.
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Belinda and Walter Jakimczuk posted a condolence
Friday, August 2, 2019
Sorry for your loss, praying for you all.
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Randy McLean posted a condolence
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Sincere condolences keith, Jennie and Cathy on your loss.
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Donna Conlan posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Rolly, Yvonne, Steve, Carrie and Phil and family. What wonderful memories you have of have of your Mom and Dad and family. You have always made an effort to make your gatherings memorable and special. I appreciate the times that I have been invited to share in your fun. Your Mom was a special lady and i so enjoyed seeing her at one of your games nights this year. Memories are painful at the moment but they meld into a wonderful aura. Sorry I wasn't able to attend and pay my respect. My thoughts are with you all. Love Donna
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Barbara Laskey (Feher) posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Dear Keith
Sorry for your loss. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Sharon and Al Brock posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Marsha, Janice and Al and all your families are in our thoughts at this hard time in your life.
Memories are a treasure for life and you have many.
Thinking of you
Sharon and Al
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Glen & Carol McLean posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Marsha, Janice and Stephenson Family , you are in our thoughts and prayers,,,you all have many treasured memories of your Mom/Gramma/Great Gramma. Memories are Forever,,,
Glen & Carol
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Diane Riley lit a candle
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
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My deepest sympathy for your loss.
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Tom Aitken donated to STRATHROY MIDDLESEX GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
From Tom and Gail
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Joel Turner posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
I am sorry to hear of Jean's passing. I worked with Bill at Moffatt & Powell. I would see her at Burger King when my wife and I came to Strathroy. She always wanted to know how our family was doing. She was a very kind lady and will be missed. Joel & Lynda Turner
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Michael Overdulve posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Hey Janice, Al and family. I’m sorry to hear that Jean has left us she was such a great wife to Bill and Mom to the rest of the family, she will be missed by all. I just wanted to pass along my condolences to the family. Love you all. I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts.
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Colin & Carol posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Think of you at this time. Sending hugs your way. Rolly, Yvonne, Steve, Carrie and Phill.
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Wayne & Eileen Perry posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Sharing in the sadness of your loss. With heartfelt sympathy to the Merrick family
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Mike and Mary Stiles posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Our condolences to you Marsha and the Stephenson family. Jean was a delightful person and full of fun.
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Jim and Mary Armstrong posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Marsha and all the Stephenson family
Our thoughts are with you all, at this sad time.
Jean and Bill were one of our first neighbours on Robert Street.
Always so friendly, time for a chat and interested in what our family was up to.
What wonderful memories you will all share.
Jim and Mary
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Sue Wales posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Rob & Sue
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Gary and Linda Howe posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
Our condolences to the family. Jean was a beautiful person inside and out. Hugs
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Dee and Mick Barney posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
Marsha you are in our hearts and prayers. May God wrap you in HIS Grace and Peace. Love Mick and Dee
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Marg and Dean Watchorn posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
Our condolences Jan and Family.
In the end all we are left with is a piece missing from our heart and memories to keep.
Marg and Dean
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Barbara Lysko lit a candle
Monday, July 29, 2019
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Barbara Lysko posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
So very sorry for your loss prayers to the family
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Emeria Soares posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
My sincere condolences to all Jean's family, in particular Katherine.
My prayers and I pray God will bless and comfort all in the days to come.
Peace
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Steven Rollason uploaded photo(s)
Monday, July 29, 2019
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You made it to the wedding! With three leaky heart valves and pneumonia! You were a dynamo!
My child is like you, and my hope is she grows more like you everyday. (without the leaky valves and pneumonia, of course!)
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Steven Rollason lit a candle
Monday, July 29, 2019
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I picked the shortest brightest candle!
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Albert&Ellen Aris posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
Our deepest sympathy goes out to your entire family.
I know Jean will be thought of as the baking lady. Who enjoyed passing her treats out to friends and neighbours at Trillium .
She will be missed by many
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Lambert posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
We send our most sincere condolences to the Stephenson family. Bill was a great. friend of my oldest brother Glenn Lambert. Glenn passed this spring in his 97th. year. May the love of God comfort you.
Bruce & Yvonne Lambert
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Jamie Medeiros posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
To the families of Jean
I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Please accept my condolences , I will miss her bright smile every Saturday when she came down to get her hair done ..
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Doug and Marion Smith posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
To the Families of the Late Jean Stephenson - our deepest sympathy and condolences to all.
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Jim Sekerak Jr. posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
Kathy, Jody, Andrea and family:
We are very sorry for your loss. We hope you can find peace in all of the wonderful memories you have. Thinking of you all and keeping you in our prayers. Take care...
Jim Sekerak Jr. , Ben and Aleks
Port Lambton
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The family of Jean Stephenson uploaded a photo
Monday, July 29, 2019
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LInda Fox posted a condolence
Monday, July 29, 2019
Marsha and Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your Mother. No matter what our age, losing our Mother is hard to accept. She has been there with us since we took our first breath and knew she would be with us until she took her last breath.
Treasure your memories of her and hold them close to your heart where she will always remain and remember that LOVE NEVER DIES!
Sincerely, Linda Fox
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