(March 29, 1938 - December 27, 2020)
The family of Jean McNiven would like our friends and family to know that Jean passed away in her 83rd year after a long illness and a 10 plus year stay at Trillium Manor in Orillia. Jean was raised in Udney, ON with her two brothers Bob & John Robertson. She was the daughter of Elmer & Carrie Robertson (nee Speiran). Jean graduated high school at ODCVI (Orillia). Jean then attended Ontario Teacher’s College in Peterborough. Jean’s first teaching assignment was in Tyrone Ontario with her soon to be sister-in-law Anne Robertson (nee Moreland). Jean married Neil McNiven in 1963 and she moved to Oro Township. They were married for more than 57 years. Jean had numerous teaching assignments in Simcoe County including Johnston Street (Barrie), Steele Street (Barrie), Guthrie, East Oro, Central and Couchiching Heights. Jean was best known as a kindergarten teacher as she held that position at many of the schools she taught in. In addition to her long teaching career, Jean was also a busy farm wife and mother to four kids (John, Andy, Heather & Bonnie). Jean was also active in local church activities at Willis Presbyterian Church and held offices in the local Women’s Missionary Society.
Jean encouraged and supported her children to participate in numerous 4-H activities and to pursue post-secondary education. Jean and Neil were named Oro-Medonte Senior Citizens of the year in 2009. Jean leaves behind her loving husband Neil, children John (Sheryl), Andy (Lisa), Heather Nixon (Jeremy) and Bonnie Strachan (Paul). Jean also leaves behind grandchildren Sarah, Everett, Hugh, Alec, Lucy, William, Caroline, Isabelle and Josey. Jean is also survived by her two Brothers Bob (Donna) and John (Anne) Robertson, her McNiven sister in-laws, Alice Anderson and Dorothy Millar as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. We would like to thank the staff of Trillium Manor for their care of Jean over the past number of years. A Service to Celebrate Jean's Life will be held in the spring, in accordance with the provincial regulations. Spring Interment: Knox Cemetery, Oro Medonte.
If desired, memorial donations to the Trillium Manor Bus Fund, Orillia or the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital would be appreciated.