Obituary of Jean Strachan

Thirza Jean Strachan passed away in the early hours of July 21st, 2024 at Brantford General Hospital. She was 84. Jean was born on October 14, 1939 in Ottawa to parents John and Thirza Robbie. She was the beloved wife of Ken Strachan who predeceased her in 2005 and was also predeceased by her younger brother John. Jean was mother to Jim (Bev) and Graham (Elan) and proud grandmother of Erin. As a young journalism graduate of Carleton University Jean became a reporter at the Ottawa Citizen. It was there she met Ken who was with the rival Ottawa Journal covering a Chubby Checker concert. She continued her professional career in Montreal where she worked in public relations with the YWCA. In 1971 Jean came to Brantford with her young family when Ken became the editor of the Brantford Expositor. She served on the Brantford YMCA board, including as President and also volunteered with UNICEF. For many years Jean enjoyed curling at the Brantford Golf and Country Club and annual trips to Florida and Thornbury with Graham, Elan and Erin. She also experienced a memorable barge trip in the Loire Valley with Jim and Bev. Quick minded and independent, Jean loved to read the newspaper and every morning she tended diligently to the birds in her backyard. In recent years she played bridge in several clubs. She especially valued the strong friendships she formed with her “bridge friends” and looked forward to seeing them every Tuesday and Thursday. Jean’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the health care professionals who supported her over the past 4 weeks in the Emergency, Cardiac and Stroke wards at BGH. An informal reception to celebrate Jean will be held on Monday July 29th, 2024 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm at the Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre, 88 Brant Ave., Brantford followed by a private family burial. If desired, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. A tree will be planted in memory of Jean in the Beckett-Glaves Memorial Forest.