On Saturday, April 27, 2019 Jean Evelyn Papegnies (nee Gibson) was welcomed into heaven, where her heavenly father and her husband awaited for her. Jean will be sorrowfully missed by her children Larry (Mollie), Russell (Bev), Randy, and Lisa (George); grandchildren Cory Topal (Marg), Kurt (Leslie), Derek (Lisa), Joni (Jason) Vinnell, Kylie Salazar (Ryan), Keenan, Ayla "Grayson", and Dax; and great grandchildren James, Jenica, Tegan, Lucas, Zachary, Cody, Eve, Madden, and Kate-Lynn. She also leaves to mourn her sister Betty, brothers Cecil and Cedric and numerous nieces and nephews. Jean was predeceased by her husband Laurent, parents Laura May and Leroy Gibson and siblings Lew, Frank, Joyce, Bert, Victor, Bill, and Walter.

Jean was born to Laura May and Leroy Gibson on October 25, 1932. She spent her childhood years in a family with 11 children near Treherne, Manitoba, living in the manse across from Matchettville School and Church. She had many memories of her brothers away at war, the tough times and how they contributed to the war efforts, all while dealing with Billy’s polio and Jean with a Blight’s kidney disease at age 6 years, causing her to be bedridden upstairs for 6 months. Later, the family moved to town so Billy could attend high school. When Jean was just 15, her mother had a heart attack at age 49 years. Jean became a surrogate mother for Walter and the twins, as did her sister Betty. In her teens she had heavy nosebleeds where cauterizing was necessary and Jean moved to sister Joyce and Roger’s to convalesce. While there, she got her first job as a telephone operator working at night and attending school during the day to finish grade eleven.

She had work, schoolwork, and countless homemaker chores, and still found time for a boyfriend! Laurent chased her for a while before she agreed to date. On their first date, a friend overturned Laurent’s Model T Ford truck. Jean made it home at 7:00 a.m.; just in time to change clothes and go to school. Jean admired Laurent’s ability to keep his cool with his friend and decided to keep dating him. They married July 15, 1950 in St. Boniface, Manitoba. They were poor, but Laurent was a good hunter and trapper, and promised they would never go hungry. They started farming with a 1936 Pontiac, a John Deere A tractor, two horses, a cow and some pigs. They first lived in a log house on the Papegnies farm near Swan Lake, then moved to a farmhouse near Somerset. Larry was born in 1951 and Russell in 1952. The family moved to a beautiful ranch near Dunrea in 1954. Randy was born in 1957 and Lisa surprised them in 1967. The boys attended school at Duncragg, where Laurent became a trustee and Jean the secretary of the school board for 5 years. When the school closed and the boys went to school in Killarney, they purchased the land and the Duncragg School was moved to their homestead and it became their house with lots of remodelling over the years. Jean and Laurent lived together on their beloved farm for over 45 years. Jean learned to be a successful seamstress, homemaker, gardener, canner, quilter, and a capable farmhand, preparing meals at the table and on the go. Jean was a director for Killarney Credit Union for 9 years, and the Chairperson for one year. She was the chairperson and editor of The Riverside Centennial Book. Jean and Laurent loved hosting reunions on the farm with pit BBQ beef, pancake breakfasts, and 5 days of family fun! They also enjoyed travelling together: California, Los Angeles, Oakville and Port Perry, BC, 3 times to Hawaii, Mexico, Dominican and Belgium to visit the relatives. In 1999, Jean said farewell to her sweetheart of 49 years. She moved to Victoria Landing in Brandon in 2008 on her own accord. She loved her active social life there, making some dear friends, participating in their Olympic Games, and playing Quiddler, a highlight!

Mom will be fondly remembered for her endless optimism, happy laughter, supportive advice, family get-togethers, and for the love she had for ALL OF US! She was the glue that held our large family together. Her inscription fittingly reads: “Life’s work well done!”

For those who wish, a time of viewing will be held at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North, Brandon on Thursday, May 9, 2019 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. To celebrate Jean’s life, interment will be at Bethel Cemetery, Treherne on Friday, May 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. The Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Memories Chapel. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to Diabetes Canada, 1400 - 522 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2R5, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 1379 Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5, or a charity of your choice.