Jean “Omi” Devlin (nee Kuz)
September 11, 1935 – December 2, 2023
Peacefully surrounded by her immediate family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mother & “Omi” Jean Devlin at the age of 88 years on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 at Pinecrest Home for the Aged Kenora.
Jean was born on September 11, 1935 in Gimli, Manitoba. She grew up on their farm in Gimli with her parents and four sisters. She met Ben Devlin while her mother was working as a cook in a Devlin Timber bush camp owned by Ben and his brother Joe. They were married in 1957 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They then moved to Kenora where they first rented a home on Main Street North before building a home at 7 Drewry Drive and then making the move to Keewatin in 1972.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Debbie (Glen Koch), Shelley (Orlo Mejia) and Carla (Mark Scott). Grandchildren Kyle Koch (Rebecca), Justin Mejia (Seaira), Andrew Koch (Lindsay), Jordan Mejia (Desirae), Aaron Koch (Orisha) and Benjamin Scott. Great grandchildren Palmer, Amare, Odin and Mikaela; Sister Violet Cvitkovitch of Winnipeg; and many nieces and nephews.
Jean was predeceased by her husband Benjamin and infant son Mitchell; Parents Harry & Mary Kuz (nee Paracholski); twin brother & sister Nick and Lena; sisters Helen Hillcoff, Anne Hillcoff & Rose Shewchuk; Brothers-in-law Mike Hillcoff, John Hillcoff & Frank Cvitkovitch.
Omi was proud of her Ukrainian heritage and loved to cook almost anything from perogies, cabbage rolls, cookies and desserts. Some of the favorites being her Hershey Brownies, Millionaire Slice, Christmas Cake and Vinarterta. Hosting Sunday dinners were always quite a treat for the whole family and everyone looked forward to them. Jean played duplicate bridge for many years and was quite the “card shark”. She loved to play and beat the grandkids in a friendly game of cards. Jean took up quilting in 1984 and spent countless hours over the years sewing and making beautiful quilts for the whole family but especially her grandchildren. Numerous friends & family have a unique & beautiful quilt to remember her by. In 2014 the Lake of the Woods Quilters Guild selected her as the “Quilter of Honour” at their Annual Quilt Show. Many lifelong friends were made through her quilting especially Peggy O’Flaherty & Isabel Sniezek. She loved blueberry picking and was well-known for her Blueberry Cheesecakes and pies. During the summer months when she wasn’t quilting you could find her in the garden tending to her flowers.
Anyone that visited her home around Christmas time have seen her wonderful display of the North Pole Village houses, when Omi moved to Pinecrest we divided up all her houses and they now shine brightly in many of our homes giving us lasting memories of Omi and Papa.
The family would like to thank the Kenora Home for the Aged for their care during her stay since 2014. Special thanks to Mike and all the Unit 3 staff who looked after Omi all these years and especially these last couple of weeks. Also, to many other departments from Activation, Kitchen & Cleaning staff we really appreciate all that you do for the residents of the home.
A service will be held this summer on July 27th, 2024 at Brown’s Funeral Home, more details to follow.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, and if friends so desire please consider a donation in memory of Jean “Omi” to Pinecrest Home Auxiliary 1220 Valley Drive, Kenora, ON P9N 2W7 or online at Canada Helps at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/80980
She will be dearly missed by ALL of her family. “Our hearts are empty now but our memories of her are full”…we love you Mom & Omi xox
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Devlin family.