We are saddened to announce that Jean Witt (nee Darby) passed away on July 13, 2024 in her 97th year. For 48 years she was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Simon Witt (2000). She was the loving and proud mother of Judy Sorbara (Sam), Susan Laing (Iain), David (Laurie), Jonathan and Joanna and the devoted Nanny to Laura and Simon Bergeron (Vesela), Amanda (Kurt) and Erica Witt, and Dharma and Chandra Witt. Predeceased by her sister Dorothy and her brother Tom, she will be lovingly remembered by her brother Geoff and many Darby and Witt nieces and nephews, all of whom reside in England.
Jean was born and raised in Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. When Jean was 11 years old, WW2 began and Jean was evacuated to the centre of England to avoid the bombing on the North Sea coast. She lived with her foster family for 5 years and then went to nursing school. While working at the Ipswich hospital she met Simon. Simon moved to Canada and Jean followed shortly afterwards to nurse at Toronto Western Hospital. Eventually she found Simon working in Guelph, they reunited and then married in 1952.
Jean loved her work as a nursery school teacher – first at McDonald Institute and then with Joyce Hammond. She also worked at Hopewell Home and in Simon’s medical office. She was an active woman while raising 5 children, going to the gym and playing tennis for many years. Jean raised her family in Guelph but loved to spend time with them at the family cottages, first on Lake Huron in Southampton and then on Harp Lake in Huntsville. In addition, countless memories were made at her condominium in Siesta Key, Florida. While in Florida, Jean volunteered as an ESL teacher and spent many hours in French language classes.
Jean was a dog lover and always had one, two and sometimes three long haired mini dachshunds in her life at the same time. For the past many years she was a close friend to both Rob, her neighbour on Exhibition Street, and his dog, Taffy. Every day Taffy would run up the stairs and spend her time with Jean.
Jean’s welcoming and friendly personality made her easy to like and she had many close friends including Charlotte and Bonnie and other friends of her children. Jean was also predeceased by her lifelong friend Guelph friend, Agnes Gelb, and her best Florida friend, Annie Dickison. Jean will be missed by her table-mates and the staff at Riverside Glen and her long time doctor Rosemary Danielli. Many thanks to the nurses on 5W at the Guelph General Hospital and to everyone who included Jean in their lives.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Dublin Chapel, 252 Dublin Street North, Guelph (519-822-4731). As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Foundation of the Guelph General Hospital would be appreciated. Donations can be made in person at the funeral home (cash and cheques accepted) or online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com. Condolences can also be sent via the funeral home website.