Mary Jenken
Mary Jenken (Nee: Watson)
October 3, 1954 – July 31, 2023
Mary Jenken who loved her family, baked potatoes, Christmas bazaars, and wandering every aisle of the grocery store, passed away July 31, 2023, at the age of 68.
Born October 3, 1954, in St. Thomas, Mary was the eighth child of Murray and Catharine (McKillop) Watson. She and her ten siblings grew up on a dairy farm. She often reminisced of shared beds, cramming too many kids in the family Cadillac, and playing baseball games on Sunday afternoons.
At the age of sixteen while attending Arthur Voaden Secondary School, she met Ron Jenken – without a doubt her true love, partner, and soulmate. Mary and Ron continued to date through high school and Mary’s years of nursing school before marrying on December 14, 1974. For the next 48 years they were inseparable. Mary was able to stay close with family and friends when she moved a whopping 8 km away from her childhood home to the Jenken Family Farm.
Mary and Ron worked side-by-side with Ron’s parents George and Rowena (Ferguson) Jenken on the farm raising pigs, farming cash crop, and growing mountains of veggies for canning. She also worked as a Nurses Aid at Terrace Lodge in Aylmer for 43 years until she begrudgingly agreed to retire in 2018. She enjoyed nursing because she was able to connect with and support so many people – both residents and staff.
Mary and Ron loved to travel. With their young family, they adventured across Canada and the US with a pop-up trailer before settling in to Pine Lake Family Campground. In later years they travelled coast-to-coast-to-coast attending many conferences with Yarmouth Mutual Insurance and the Oddfellows. In recent years it became tradition to organize and enjoy family trips, including cruises and cottage rentals. Regardless of where they were, Mary would make sure to win at a game of cards or, her favourite, Rummikub.
Mary would have told you her pride and joy were her three kids Wayne, Sarah, and Janine … that is until her grandkids came along. Wayne and Kristen’s (Buckel) daughter Wensley and Sarah and Adam’s (West) children Lucas and Madison brought so much joy to her life. “Grandma” was the title she was always meant to have, and she truly was the best Grandma – a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.
Mary touched the lives of so many people in the community, at work, and in her family with her spicy attitude, beautiful smile, and wicked sense of humour. Her family includes Anna Duff, Keith and Vicky Watson, Bruce and Jan Watson, Ken and Nancy Watson, Shirley and Jim Draper, Louise Mahon, Raymond and Marilyn Watson, Russell and Maureen Watson, Murray and Michèle Watson, Joyce Lockyer and Paul Russell, Ray and Jan Jenken, Ruth Burdick, and over 100 nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.
While Mary never wanted to be the centre of attention, a celebration of her life will be held at the Jenken Family Farm on August 19, 2023. Everyone is welcome any time after 2:00 p.m. Her favourites – hot dogs, popcorn, and ice cream – will be provided as we all enjoy a toast in her memory.
Mary was never one for fresh flowers, in lieu, please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, MS Canada, or your own favourite charity. A special thanks to the Belmont Fire Department, Dr. Cieslak, and all the staff at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.
Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas entrusted with arrangements.