Jean Salidas (nee Mackler)
It is with immense sorrow that the family announces her sudden passing on December 27, 2023 at the age of 88 years. Loving daughter of the late Jim Mackler and Eileen Mackler (née Quinn). Beloved wife of the late Jim Salidas. Treasured sister of Barb and Mary (Don). Predeceased by her brother Bill and his wife Jane. Cherished mother of Anne Marie (Moe), Fran (Bruce), Jim, Barb (Gord), Tom (Dianne) and Kath (Norm). Loving grandmother of Robert (Renée), Lisa (Jon) and Carson. Devoted great grandmother of Brittany (Chance) and Brody (Megan). She will be deeply missed by her nieces and nephews Sherry (Mick), Dan (Joanna), Bill (Amy), Chris (Mary) and their families.
Mom was born and raised in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. At age seventeen she attended Teachers’ College in North Bay where she met the love of her life, Jim. They were married in 1954 and raised their family in North Bay and Hanmer. Mom was an amazing, hard working woman whose number one priority was her family. Dad’s job required extensive travel which left Mom holding the fort with six children, no vehicle and limited finance means. Despite these challenges, our ever resourceful mother persevered to ensure we had a loving home environment and that we never lacked for anything. She was a wonderful cook – her spaghetti and meatballs and her butter tarts were legendary!
Her desire to improve her home led her to become quite proficient in all aspects of “home maintenance”. In addition, with a lot of back breaking labour, Mom transformed her thistle laden Hanmer property into a beautiful yard with many flower gardens including her beloved dahlias. Her superb organizational skills were evident everywhere from the kitchen to the garden shed! She enjoyed living on “the hill” and became lifelong friends with many of her neighbours.
After losing Dad in 1981, Mom returned to teaching for a few years and then was employed at Valley Plaza Pharmacy. During those years she spent most of her free time travelling to North Bay to help her aging parents and parents-in-law. At age sixty-five, Mom finally retired. We are so grateful that Mom’s retirement years gave her the opportunity to travel extensively with her family and more time to enjoy golfing, gardening and the outdoors. She was a community minded person who gave generously of her time and money to many charitable organizations. She was always thinking of others and reaching out to friends in need of some T.L.C. They appreciated her frequent visits, homemade treats and phone calls.
Mom maintained a special connection with the “Normal School Girls”, her teacher friends since 1952. Their annual get-togethers were a big highlight for her. She had a wide circle of friends and enjoyed her exercise classes and the camaraderie of that group. When Mom moved into her apartment a few years ago, her new neighbours and the building caretakers were very welcoming. Many lovely friendships developed and she knew she could count on all of them if need be, to lend a hand and this gave her (and us) great peace of mind!
We can’t forget her canine companions who hit the jackpot, especially Polly who probably enjoyed more of Mom’s baking than we did! Thank goodness Mom had lots of patience and took everything in stride. She had a terrible sense of direction but a great sense of humour. We might get lost if she was reading the map but her “Jeanisms” were guaranteed to save the day and crack us up every time!
We cannot emphasize enough how much Mom, Grandma, Grandma Jean helped each and every one of us in so many different ways! She was the “total package”! She was loving, generous, kind, thoughtful yet practical, determined and always optimistic! Mom was our hero and the best role model we could have ever asked for. She sure will be a tough act to follow but we will all strive to live up to her great example! We are broken hearted to lose Mom but so grateful for all the wonderful years we had together. Rest in peace Mom! We love you!
We wish to thank the amazing medical team at Health Sciences North who provided such wonderful care to Mom and compassion to the family during her final hours to ensure such a peaceful passing for Mom.
At Mom’s request there will be no service. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. If desired, please donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca) or to a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Simple Wishes of the North (simplewishesnorth.com)