RUTHERFORD
Jean Galbraith
August 17, 1920 – December 23, 2014
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving mother, Jean Galbraith Rutherford [nee Ryan] with family by her side. All who met her remember her as a gracious, grateful, elegant, talented, and beautiful lady.
Jean grew up in Pincher Creek, Alberta where her father was the Royal Bank Manager. She met her future husband ”Rowdy”, while he was stationed at the RCAF base at Fort McLeod, Alberta as a flight instructor. Following their marriage in September, 1942 and Rowdy’s WWII stint over Burma as a Squadron Leader, they continued to reside in Pincher Creek until 1950 when they moved their young family to Yellowknife, NWT where Rowdy became a bush pilot until he was lost on Baffin Island in 1958. Just prior to his death, the family had relocated to Penticton, BC in 1957 to be closer to Jean’s parents.
Jean continued her long teaching career by joining the staff at Penticton Secondary as an English teacher and Guidance Counsellor. While continuing with her teaching duties, she furthered her Normal School certification by attaining a BEd degree at UBC and a MEd /Counselling degree at Gonzaga University in Washington State. Teaching was her focus. With the addition of her enriched skills in the Arts, she was an inspiration to her children, grandchildren and many students as they travelled along education’s highways.
Jean was predeceased by her husband, Jack Wilson Rutherford [Rowdy] in 1958; parents Arthur Edmund Ryan in 1978 and Elizabeth Vaughan Ryan in 1987; her son, Robert Wilson Rutherford in 2009 and her sister, Norma Olmstead in 2013.
She is survived by her children: Vaughan [Barrie], Fyfe [Larry], Ian [Louise] and Megan; her grandchildren: Merrill, Aubyn, Kristen, Marnie, Lindsay, Haley, Spencer, Brett, Max, Chris, Lauren and Rowan and her great grandchildren: Rafferty, Lachlan, Jackie, Joey, Mia, Kyle, Josh, Willem, Gracie and Paige; her younger brother, Blake [Lorraine] Ryan of Cremona, Alberta; her brother-in-law Garth Olmstead of West Vancouver and many nieces and nephews in BC and Alberta.
The family extends our deepest gratitude to Roxieanne Montgomery [Annie], who for more than ten years, took such great care of Mom and was also her wonderful companion until the end of her life. Our grateful thanks and appreciation go to the staff of the Village by the Station for providing Mom with such compassionate care. The “Village” was Mom’s home for the past seven and a half years. We would also like to express our special thanks to Dr. Cathy Sheehan, Mom’s physician, Dr. Kincaid, Dr. Tatum, Dr. Gans and the nursing staff at Penticton Regional Hospital.
At Mom’s request, there will be a private family Celebration of Life at a later date.
“Memories”
Sad are the hearts that love you
Silent are the tears that fall
Living our lives without you
Is the hardest part of all.
The sadness is that so many will
Not be touched by you.
The joy is that so many were.