Obituary of Jean Gittins

Jean died peacefully on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by family. She was born in Urmston, Lancashire, England in 1927 and immigrated to Canada in 1951, having graduated from the University of Manchester. She taught at Cathedral High School, Hamilton and was Head of History at the Toronto French School for more than twenty years. History, world affairs and current events were the love of her life and it will be her abiding wish that she has imparted this love of History to her students that they may better understand the vicissitudes of today’s world. In her younger life she served as Acting Sub Lt in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. In 1955 she met her husband John in Hamilton and they were married in 1958. This year they celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Initially they lived in England where John was a graduate student at the University of Cambridge but then moved to the United States where John became a Professor at Pennsylvania State University. In 1961 John was appointed to the University of Toronto and they spent the rest of their married life in Toronto where most of their lifelong friendships were made. She is survived by her beloved husband, John; by her sister, Freda Rodgers of Bath, England; brother, Michael Heptinstall and sister-in-law, Jackie Heptinstall of Bracebridge; as well as by her daughters and sons-in-law, Catherine and Martyn Beckett, Susan Gittins, Jennifer and Michael van den Winkel; granddaughters, Jessica and Monica Beckett; and grandson, James Raudabaugh. Jean loved conversation and a good debate and the children grew up in a welter of good spirited discussion at the dining table. She had been an active participant in the Global Concerns discussion group of the University Women’s Club of North York for fifty years and enjoyed the bridge playing company of many friends. She will be sorely missed. The funeral will be held in St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church, 1399 Bayview Avenue, Toronto on Thursday, November 29th at 12:30 p.m. with a reception to follow at Bethel Green, 645 Millwood Road, Toronto. If desired, memorial donations can be made in her name to Doctors Without Borders. Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.