In Memory
Jean Margaret Yungblut
Jean Yungblut passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 25th at the age of 97 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, John Yungblut and Jennifer (Chris) Shaw; nine grandchildren, Jackie Yungblut and Joseph Nafziger, Dylan and Vanessa Yungblut (nee Rae), Alex Riley, Brittany Riley-Yungblut, Jade Yungblut and Sydney (nee Mytrunic), Lauren Lapointe-Shaw and Lucas Chartier, Raye Mckinnon, Sigourney Shaw and Gerry Churchill, Pelly Shaw; and fifteen great-grandchildren ages 16 to 1-1/2 years - Jordyn, Ashton, Lily, Jacob, Arya, Jet, Eloise, Florence, Carter, Mia, Theo, Finley, Scarlet, Lelya, Jacob and Marsali; and brother-in-law, Bob (Moira) Yungblut as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Glenn; and her siblings, Mary, James, Gordon and Jack.
Jean grew up in Winnipeg the second youngest of 5 children. She graduated from high school in 1947 and since university was not an option (due to finances), she went to work for the Canadian Wheat Board as a secretary.
In her 20’s Jean played basketball in the Winnipeg Women’s Basketball League. Jean loved to ski in Banff and did so into her 70s. She loved a good game of tennis, paddle tennis or golf and never walked away from a competition.
In 1958 Jean and her friend June accepted an offer of a summer job in Banff, Alberta at the Peter and Wendy shop, a high-end children's clothing store. When the summer ended, Jean and June decided to move to Calgary. In October 1959 she started working in the stenographic pool for the engineering, geological and scouting departments of Shell Canada where she met Glenn.
On December 16, 1961, Jean married Glenn Yungblut before taking a position with the Nickel Daily Oil Bulletin, a key publication for industry news. Their marriage may not have been possible if Jean had remained with Shell, as most industry companies discouraged romantic relationships among employees.
After settling in Ottawa and once John and Jennifer were in school full time in 1971, Jean attended Carleton University to begin an honours programme in English Literature. She achieved her goal of earning her BA in 1985. Thereafter she continued to take courses in a variety of interests, particularly creative writing. Jean continued writing her entire life and working on her memoir until a few months ago.
Jean and Glenn and family spent many happy summers at Red Pine Camp where Jean loved to play paddle tennis, sail and generally enjoy camp life and friendships.
Jean loved to sing and sang in several choirs through the years. She never did achieve her dream of singing in a Broadway musical but did do many command performances at family celebrations and reunions!
Jean and Glenn were partners throughout Glenn’s many assignments and changing work locations together, establishing homes in Calgary, Houston, Victoria, Halifax, Ottawa and finally back in Calgary.
Thank you to the many care workers who helped care for her at home and at the South Campus Hospital in the last few weeks.
Share a message or memory
Sharon Rogers
Marni Bock
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
How blessed you are to have had this strong and loving woman in your lives.
I know of no words the ease your grief.
I’m sure your memories are filled with moments of joy. So speak her name , tell her stories and support each other as she taught you.
With loving thoughts
Marni
Michael Romano
Jean taught us all that a well-lived life is not about following expectations, but about staying true to oneself, and most importantly to live life fully—in our own way.
Thanks for the many memories, travelling with you certainly was an experience that taught me that you can always turn a negative into a positive.
PS a hospital bed pan isn't a bike helmet.
Janice O'Neil
I have been a friend and neighbor of Jean for many years. How fortunate for me! I used to tease Jean that I wanted to be her when I grew up. I so admired how she lived her life, in a nutshell, to the fullest! She knew how to laugh and live in the moment. She was always on the lookout for the next adventure. I loved her independent nature and her confident attitude. No challenge was too big for Jean!
I enjoyed our time spent together whether it was at our bookclub, having coffee, happy hour in the backyard, watching sports, (especially the Olympics) or the many other special occasions we celebrated over the years. So many good memories.
Jean, I will miss you and yes, I still want to be you when I grow up! God bless you, my friend.
Frank and Caroll Wiskar
We have many, many fond memories of Jean and Glenn as neighbours and friends. One particular Christmas recollection was their generosity in sharing their Christmas tree with us. After a fun evening, we were lamenting the lack of a Christmas tree at our house. Next thing we saw was a lovely tree being brought by wagon around the bend lights included, and Glenn saying that we could enjoy their tree as they were leaving town.
We always enjoyed a chat with Glenn as he would cruise the neighbourhood on his bike.
And, of course Jean. I so enjoyed her book club presence and thoughtful contributions to our readings. Having a glass of wine and a chat....
You will be missed.
Edward Chillak
JIM TILBE
I first met and worked with Glenn in the early 1960s, when I was transitioning into the Drilling Department at Shell. I became a Drilling Engineer with help from Glenn.
My next major contract with Glenn was in Victoria when I was assigned to a Shell Drilling Foreman supervising operations on the Sedco 135F offshore program.
Glenn and Jean were both very friendly to our family.
Jo Ann
When i was a kid, it has always been my desire to take care of my parents when they grow old. I always wanted and i made a promise that if they can no longer walk, i promise to be their leg, when they can't see things anymore, i wanted to be their eyes. If they wanted to do anything and cant be able to do it anymore , i wanted to be their arms for everything they wanna do. As they started to grow old, they are living with me. I never get tired taking care of them because i love what im doing. For me, its payback for all their sacrifices raising me. Until my father died in 2022. I made a promise that i will take care of my mom until her last day. But fortune brings me here in Canada that i need to leave my mom for a moment. Unfortunately, she died last February 2025, and i wasnt been able to fulfill my promise of taking care of her since i am here in Canada. . I cried in pain knowing i cant be the daughter i wanna be for her. I prayed so hard everyday, pleading God to please send me back my mom even for a moment because i wanted to be by her side on her last breath. I wanted ro fulfill my lifelong promise. Though i know its impossible to happen.
One day, i recieved an offer of taking care an elderly woman. The first person that comes in my mind was, is it God's way of bringing back my mom? Was she the answer to my prayers? So i got the offer and day by day, i feel like im living with my mom back again.
Jean, whom i call mom, was such sweet person to me. There are so many memories i remember with her. Everytine i gave her OREO cookies which is her favorite, she would always say ...here have some. Sometimes she would ask her caregiver to call me, only to ask me if i can make tuna sandwich for her because for her my tuna sandwich is better than the subway😁. There are times she used to play with the buttons of the doorbell just to make sure i am in Glenn's room and will see her soon as she press the button. Sometimes, she doesnt want to take her pill tgen i will say, if only i can take that for you, i would, then she will say GO HAVE IT and laughs after .
Dear mom, Jean Yungblut, i know you were the answer to my prayer, when i asked God to please send back my mom even for a moment so i can take care of until her last breath. This is one thing i can hardly explain, but i know, God sent you to me for my healing of my lifelong promise i wasnt been able to do with my mom, but through you, i know my mom is smiling up there where she is right now because i know whatever i have done to you, she knows i will do the same with her if given the opportunity. From the bottom of ny heart, thank you so much mom Jean for the opportunity of taking care of you. I will miss you and remembers you everytime, especially every Christmas day. Love you mom and THANK YOU SO MUCH for being part of your family.
Dale Clark
I was lucky to be one of your writing buddies. We read and edited each other’s work with care, offering ideas and suggestions that always made the writing stronger. What a team we made.
I will miss our conversations and the private chuckles we shared. I am so grateful to have had you in my life. You enriched me deeply, and I will carry that with me always.
Rest in Peace my friend.