We Remember
MONTEITH, Jean Elizabeth (née Leach)
May 25, 1925 — August 20, 2024
After a long and full life, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and auntie passed away peacefully at the age of 99 in Vernon, BC.
Jean grew up in Peterborough, Ontario and its surrounding rural farmlands and lake country. This was at a time when life was a little more rustic, when cross country skiing to teach at a one-room schoolhouse with grades one to nine was just an ordinary day for her.
Jean was a talented actor (Peterborough Little Theatre with director, Robertson Davies), as well as an accomplished painter and pianist. She also loved to travel. In 1952, she journeyed by ship across the Atlantic to tour through Europe. While on board a train, the conductor noticed she was experiencing camera difficulties and introduced her to a young Scotsman with photography expertise. This fellow traveller, a Royal Marine and Engineer named Andrew, would become her future husband. Jean and Andrew moved to the Ottawa area in 1955 and raised a family of three sons.
Jean established a reputation and won many awards for her watercolour paintings. She travelled to a variety of destinations in search of interesting subject matter, with Mexico being a perennial favourite. Her travels led her to establishing a home in West Kelowna, BC in 1994, where she became very active in her community, leading painting workshops and theatre groups. In 2021, after many years living independently, Jean moved to Creekside Landing Assisted Living in Vernon and later to Osprey Court.
Jean was predeceased by her parents, Fred & Edna Leach; brother, Robert Leach; and husband, Andrew. She is survived by sons Robert (Laurel), Brian (Anne), and John (Jackie); her grandchildren, Shea, Patrick, Jamie, Drew, Alex, Brenden; great-grandchildren, Cassidy and Connor; sister-in-law, Mary Leach; nieces, Liz and Meg, and their families.
Jean was a great friend to many and had many great friends. She believed in the importance of being a good person, and that her happiness came as a result of making others happy.
Jean’s family wishes to thank the staff at Osprey Court for their compassionate care and support in the final stages of life. Jean will be laid to rest at the family plot in Lakefield, Ontario.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
Rob, Brian, John
I am so very sorry for your loss and what a wonderful lady your mom was.
She was also a very talented painter and the house @ 84 Stinson has her work on the walls
Thinking of you all and sending hugs
My deepest heartfelt condolences John, Rob and Brian, and to the family for your loss of an amazing woman. She was a remarkable and loving Gramma to our boys, Alex and Brenden. We were always so lucky when she would come for her visits, I truly enjoyed our rousing Scrabble games we would have together and I was always so in awe of all her accomplishments. I truly am honoured to have had her be a person who touched a part of my life with fond memories.
John, Brian and Rob, we all loved your mom and are very sorry for your loss. I remember so many happy times with her, all fun. She helped me adjust to life in Ottawa after leaving our home in England. We had painting days, visits to art galleries, exercises in her basement to keep us fit and so many other interesting times. She loved people and was always kind to our family and friends. We moved to Virginia and unfortunately lost touch but my memories of her are wonderful. Your mom was an interesting and talented artist, treasure her paintings, they are excellent. We all send our love to you and your families.
Rob, Brian, John & Family. So sorry for the loss of your Mother. She was a Talented Artist and I’m so lucky to have one of her beautiful watercolors! She always had interesting stories to share. May you find comfort in all the wonderful Memories of her.
Our Condolences, Lynn Hubick & Mike
Jean was a very beautiful soul, very caring and thoughtful. I am so glad I got to know her. Even fortunate to have two of her paintings. My love and prayers go out to her family at this time.