Jean Margaret (Nielsen) MacPherson
September 14, 1931 - October 14, 2017
Jean MacPherson (Nielsen), nee Poulsen, of White Rock, B.C. passed peacefully at the age of 86, surrounded by her loving friends and family.
Jean is survived by her daughters Sandra Smith (Brad), Judith Copland (Gabor) and Anita Nielsen; grandchildren Lawren Smith (Laura), Genevieve Hohnadel (Franck), Connor Smith (Sophie), Mason and Oliver Fentum; great grandchildren Cooper, Luca, Marly and Everly; sister Grete Trachuk (Tony) and brother Ken Poulsen (Kerry); stepdaughter Marilyn MacPherson, stepdaughter-in-law Beatrice MacPherson, and step-grandchildren Jacqueline and Adrienne MacPherson; and her many nieces and nephews.
Jean was a force of nature and lived her life to the fullest. Of Danish descent, Jean was born in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, and grew up on the family farm in Cooksville, Ontario. With her spirit for adventure calling, she travelled west to visit her grandmother at age of 16 and fell in love with White Rock, B.C., where she remained for nearly 70 years. Jean enjoyed many escapades during this time, journeying across Canada and the U.S., Europe, China, New Zealand and the Philippines.
Jean's generous spirit and willingness to help others was evident throughout her lifetime. Her good works started soon after moving to the area when she successfully lobbied to have the land now known as Crescent Park protected for the benefit of the community. As the head secretary for Semiahmoo Senior Secondary School, White Rock Junior Secondary School and Henry Bose Elementary School, Jean impacted the lives of thousands of children and youth, who knew they could go to "Mrs. Nielsen" whenever they needed help.
Jean was also an active member of the Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary Society for over 40 years and a committed volunteer for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. A cancer survivor herself, Jean's primary passion was supporting the Canadian Cancer Society. She served as the Office/Campaign Coordinator for the White Rock/South Surrey Unit for more than 20 years, and was a founding member of the Cancer Support Group and the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society. She also enjoyed her memberships in the Coyote Creek Ladies Golf group and the South Surrey & White Rock Art Society.
Jean will be dearly missed by her family, her many friends, and the countless individuals whose lives were touched by her kindness and generosity.
A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the White Rock Community Centre at 15154 Russell Avenue from 1:00-3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, Jean would appreciate donations to the causes that were important to her: Camp Goodtimes at www.campgoodtimes.org; the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society at www.volunteercancerdrivers.ca; or the Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary Society by calling (604) 531-5512.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.victoryfuneralcenter.ca.
Victory Funeral Center