We are sad to announce the passing, but relieved that her suffering has ended. Jean passed away on April 16, 2018 at Northumberland Hills Hospital, she was 77 years of age. She was born in Montreal, raised in Hamilton and Brantford Ontario and had a succesful career in Toronto at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
Jean’s sir name at birth was d’Agenais – however many friends and family would have known her by the surnames Eisen and Ashby. Jean lived a stormy, passionate and intense life, she was a brilliant writer and artist. She was a force to be reckoned with who shattered glass ceilings.
Jean was the daughter of Anna Josephine Holt (nee Finlayson) of Brantford Ontario. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Topper and son-in-law Roland; grandchildren Leanne, Alex and Melissa; great-grandchildren Nevaeh, Zander and Braelyn; her life long friend Joyce Donnelly of Kingston, Ontario and her half-brother Jack d’Agenais of Winnipeg Manitoba.
Jean proclaimed to be merely a hobby artist yet many of her pieces have been purchased over the years by those who have a discerning interest in original art that has been produced as a result of ‘Survival’ living through crisis. For more information about Jean’s life and work – we invite you to read a reflective memoir about The Hobbyist Who Had a Dream.
Donations in honour of her Great-Grand Daughter Nevaeh could be made to The Hospital For Sick Children or to Canadian Mental Health.