JEAN PETROPOULOS (nee: Tipping)
July 25, 1930 – April 1, 2024
It is with sadness we announce the passing of Jean Petropoulos, peacefully in her 94th year, on April 1, 2024.
Jean was predeceased by her husband, Peter, who she was devoted to for 64 years. She was a loving mother and mother-in-law to son, Paul (Leesa) and daughter, Jan (Drew); and proud Nana to her granddaughter, Cassy.
She was Aunt to Cathy (Les), David (Maggie), Susan (Dick), Rob and Stuart (Kristel), Dave (Lauren), and many grand-nieces and nephews. Jean was predeceased by her parents, Stan and Aileen Tipping; brother, Jack; dear sister, Kay; and husband, Bill Laidlaw; and Peter’s dear brother, Jim Petropoulos; along with special friends, Ann Harvey Russell, Donna Karabin, Helen Craig, and Nancy Compton.
Jean grew up in Elmvale, Ontario where her father ran the local creamery and her mother was a teacher. At the age of 17, she left the small town to attend University of Toronto, earning her BA in Nursing. After university, Jean and several of her friends ventured to Europe, which was a trip of a lifetime for a small town girl. She began her nursing career in Toronto, where she met Peter, and after a couple of years they began their lives together in Bayview Village. Jean and Peter were always on the move hosting family celebrations, spending summers at her family cottage at Wasaga Beach, and weekends gardening with Peter at their Innisfil retreat, always with one of her faithful dogs by her side – Duke, Blue or Roxy. Although Jean enjoyed the winter and cross-country skiing, they managed to escape to Florida for a few weeks each year spending time in Treasure Island, Fort Lauderdale, Singer Island and Vero Beach. In the spring they enjoyed bus tours where they visited botanical gardens in Victoria, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington.
Jean was one of the most kind and generous person one could meet. There was not a family member, friend, cause or charity that she would not help or support. Walking tours at Edwards Gardens, Cancer Society Daffodil Day Fundraising, delivering Meals on Wheels and volunteering at Alzheimer’s Society, to name a few. She was very active in the community, being a 50-year member of the Church of Incarnation as well as being very involved with her bridge groups, weekly exercise class, and University Women’s Club. Her calendar was always full.
For the last 10 years of her life, Jean was living with Alzheimer’s. She spent her last five years at Cedarhurst, where she was very fortunate to have the love and support of her caregiver Mara by her side. Special thanks also to Lynn, Marina, Lydia, and all the staff at Cedarhurst.
Hopefully she is now enjoying a nice cold drink with Peter, on “the lookout” at Wasaga, watching the sunset.
A small family service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in her honour, to Women’s Brain Health or Toronto Botanical Gardens.