Jean Evelyn CURRIE

Jean Evelyn (Sutherland) Currie was born on the cold frosty morning of January 5, 1927, the 5th child of Scottish immigrants, John and Helen Sutherland of High Prairie, Alberta. She grew up on the farm during the depression with her six siblings, and was by all accounts a very serious, determined girl who excelled at school. At 18, she packed her steamer trunk and headed to the big city of Edmonton to train as a nurse at the Misericordia Hospital.  With her RN pin, and starched white cap perched firmly on her rich black hair, she worked hard to become the head nurse of the delivery room.  She has amazing memories of those days, and of working at the Charles Camsell TB sanatorium where she met C.W. Parker Currie. They married on July 21, 1951, and with their 4 children in tow they moved between Calgary and Edmonton as Parker rose to become the chief of the Air Traffic Control tower. 

Jean was the chief of the Currie household and loved to garden, sew, knit, bake, and take care of her family.  They were both actively involved in all of their children’s activities, and were community leaders, especially with Brownies and Scouts. They were always there to cheer on their budding hockey stars or figure skaters beside cold outdoor rinks during the dark Alberta winters, and also enjoyed curling, golfing, skiing, and camping.

Jean went back to school when she was 50 to refresh her RN status and was a highly regarded RN at Extendicare in Leduc, Alberta until she retired in 1993.  Retirement was devoted to spending time with her children and grandchildren in Calgary and Victoria, and she loved to bake, cook, and clean for everyone. She faithfully attended their games, recitals, and celebrations, and drove her sporty blue Toyota Celica all over Calgary and out to Vancouver Island.

Jean traveled to Hawaii, Great Britain, Alaska, Cuba, Mexico, Arizona, and South America, and enjoyed many cruises and trips with friends. Jean loved to spend time fishing at Shaw’s Point on Lesser Slave Lake with her good friend, Tip Jacobsen, and spent many happy summers there. She was an avid hockey fan and would be cheering on the Calgary Flames wearing her favorite player’s jersey.

She moved to Fernie, BC, in 2016 and had a lovely independent apartment at Rocky Mountain Village before she moved to long term care.

Jean will be lovingly remembered by her children, Marianne Agnew (Gary Whitehouse), David (Sandy) Currie, Lynn Stokes, and daughter-in-law, Nicky Currie. She was so proud of her amazing grandchildren; Brad (Jayme) Agnew, Chelsea (Luke) Giesbrecht, Tom (Andrea) Currie, Charlotte Currie, Ashley van Lanen, Eden Currie, Sam and Ben Stokes.  Sweet great grandchildren include Evan, Simon & Miele Currie, Cole & Levi van Lanen, and Annie Agnew. She is also survived by her only surviving sibling, Rosemary MacDougal of Vancouver, and sister-in-law, Claire Armstrong of Edmonton. Jean was sadly predeceased by her beloved son, Donald John Currie (Nov 10, 1959 - Aug 17, 2021.)

Mom left us with an amazing example of unconditional love, generosity, strength, and resilience.  She cherished nature, and was a fountain of knowledge about clouds, stars, birds, and gardens.  She loved collecting smooth rocks and autumn leaves. Her little piece of heaven will be filled with meadows of wildflowers, places to picnic, and the sweet songs of the birds she loved.

The family would like to thank Dr Lori Gadsden and the wonderful, caring staff at Rocky Mountain Village. Jean’s last years were peaceful and secure, and she was well cared for with love and affection.

“You belong among the wildflowers, you belong somewhere close to me Far away from your trouble and worry, you belong somewhere you feel free.”

Lyrics from Wildflowers by Tom Petty

No flowers, please. Should you choose to do so, donations to the charity listed below would be greatly appreciated.

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