Jean Dale passed away peacefully at the age of 92.  She was predeceased by her husband, John, in 2016.  She is survived by her sister, Rita,  son Robert (Karen), daughter Carol (David) and grandchildren, James, Zoe, Christopher and Brian plus lots of family and friends.

When Jean was young in the 1930’s to 1940’s she lived in Lancashire, England on a chicken farm on the moors about a mile away from the nearest village. Their stone house, with a barn attached, had three rooms and was 200 years old.  Upstairs it was cold in the winter and snow blew through cracks in the roof.  There was no electricity or running water and the toilet was outdoors.  She walked to school in the village across the fields with her friend Irene.  She began piano lessons and enjoyed learning.  Her family had a motorcycle and side car, Jean would ride on the back holding on tight to her dad.  Her mum would ride in the sidecar.  When she was 10 years old the Second World War started.  Jean knitted socks, mittens and sweaters for the soldiers.  On dark nights when the buildings were blacked out she would sit outside with her father as he quoted his favourite poems as they looked at the stars.  She left school the day before she was 14 years old because her parents couldn’t pay for further education.  She worked in the cotton mill office and went to night school.  When she was 19 she was accepted by Manchester University to train as an elementary school teacher.  On her holidays she would cycle around England often with her little sister, Rita, or would hitchhike in Europe.  Jean came to Mission City in 1956 as an exchange teacher.  She met John Dale a local dairy farmer, married him and raised two children, Robert and Carol.  She was a wonderful mother, patient, sensible and practical.  She returned to teaching and became the Principal at Nicomen Island Elementary School. She played the piano for the children, had fun sports days and a colourful classroom. Students from more than 60 years ago remember her with great fondness.  She returned to England regularly to visit her Mum, Dad and Rita’s family, taking Robert and Carol with her for the best holidays ever.  She loved living on the farm, looked after John well, delivered meals out to the fields during haying season, carried milk for the calves and really enjoyed all the animals.  She always had a dog by her side and every dog loved Jean best.  When she retired Jean would drive the camper or fifth wheel for holidays, she was a confident driver and never had a speeding ticket her whole life.  She enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow, loved driving her golf cart through the barns and out to the fields.  She touched a lot of people in her long and happy life. We were all lucky to have her in our lives and will miss her.  We will always laugh when reminiscing about her because she was so fun.