December 15, 1936 - July 19, 2020
Jenifer Mary Sidney Pierotti (nee Coles), also known as Jenny, Jen and Grandma Jen, was born on 15th December 1936 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia to Beryl and Ronald Coles. In February 1942 Jen left Singapore with her brother John Angus and mother, on a boat to Perth Australia where they spent the war years. It was this time in Australia where she gained her affinity for hot weather.
Following the end of the war and release of Prisoners of War, the family was reunited with Ronald and together sailed to England, where sadly her parents marriage ended. Ronald returned to the Far East, but Jen stayed in England continuing her education. Post secondary, Jen commenced physiotherapy training but, following her mother's passing from cancer, she abandoned this instead training as a secretary and working in London frequently visiting Warwickshire where her father was now living with his second wife and her two younger sisters.
Jen's adventurous spirit led her to emigrate to Toronto, Canada in 1961 and then to Vancouver in 1965, where she met and married Gary Carter. Though the marriage was not to last they maintained contact until Gary passed in early 2019. Jen lived in the valley for many years developing lifelong friendships and enjoying riding her horse.
She started working in the Personnel department at Burrard Dry Dock and moved to Deep Cove before buying her first apartment in North Vancouver.
It was here that she met Max Pierotti, with whom she shared mutual interests in the sea and sailing and who was to become her great love. On retirement
partly due to the closing of Burrard Dry Dock they spent time playing golf eventually purchasing a property in California where they would spend their
winters and loving the hot weather. It was here that Max suffered a severe stroke one Christmas and; following his recovery, they quickly returned to home
to Surrey where Max was to undergo intensive physiotherapy. Using the skills she had learnt 40 years previously, Jen encouraged and supported his remobilization.
In 2001 they were married and officially gaining the ready made family she'd known for years, from Max's first marriage consisting of a stepson,
2 step-granddaughters and 2 step- grandsons. Advancing ill health took its toll on Max and sadly he passed away in December 2015. Jen continued to live
in their home enjoying walks with her friends from the complex, playing crib, learning to play bridge and going out with them for meals in local restaurants.
Her love of the beach led her to go there often just to walk along and enjoy the sounds of the sea. Her greatest joy however were spending time with her
family in Canada watching the family grow, enjoying their babies arrive and celebrating all their various achievements.
Following Max's passing, Jen spent time each Christmas with her family in England. She was a loving, caring and supportive Sister, Aunt, Grandma and
friend whose smile lit up a room. This smile is what many people, who only met her once or twice, have all commented about. During 2020 her memory for
recent events was failing and the lockdown, caused by Covid 19, did not help her as she felt isolated and alone despite socially distanced visits and frequent
regular Facetime calls. She had a sudden onset of breathlessness which resulted in admission to hospital and she was diagnosed with mild pneumonia.
Despite interventions she deteriorated rapidly and died in the early hours of Sunday 19th July.
Jen is survived by her sisters Jane Mason and Sue Cope, nieces Joanna Bonetti and Melanie Ostler, nephews David Angus, Robin Coles , Rob Cope, 4 great
nephews, 3 great nieces and 3 great great nieces as well as the Pierotti family in Canada, Jamie Pierotti and his son and daughter, Angela Pierotti, David
Pierotti and his two sons and Annie Christiaens.
Rest in peace Dearest Jen