Obituary of Jewel Elizabeth Spence

Age 91, of Torbrook, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in Evergreen Home for Special Care, Kentville. She was born in Springhill on January 12, 1933, to Thomas “Tom” and Margaret (Rogers) Canning, the oldest of three children. 

Jewel and her husband Ken were married on July 22, 1950. She was a loving and devoted mother to Teresa and Joanne and was blessed with five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She loved cats and there always was at least one in her home. Her last two feline friends were special. Annie and Abbie gave her much love and joy. Jewel and Ken enjoyed 65 years of marriage together and she leaves a rich and lasting legacy in her family.

Over the years, Jewel was involved in various church activities and had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus. During her leisure times she enjoyed reading, travelling and sewing. She and Ken were avid square and round dancers, dancing at least twice a week for over 40 years. She made their outfits and was known for her incredible ability to sew.

Jewel loved to travel with Ken and together they enjoyed many trips, Ireland being a highlight. She also loved cruises and had the pleasure of several of these excursions over the years. Her favourite was the Alaskan Cruise which they enjoyed so much they went a second time. While at home Jewel involved herself in helping at a monthly soup kitchen, Hope Cottage, with her church community. It was a common occurrence to see Jewel engaged in conversation with people she did not know, they just seemed to be attracted to her. Jewel had an eye for style and often would receive compliments on the clothing she wore, beautiful skirts and tops.

During the last years of her life, she and Ken spent summers at their cottage on the Amherst Shore. Being there gave them much happiness, especially when family would come to visit. After Ken passed away, Jewel moved to Greenwood in the Annapolis Valley and then, just three months before Covid made its appearance, moved to an in-law apartment with Joanne and Bernie in Torbrook. She spent her last two years at the Evergreen Home for Special Care in Kentville.

In Jewel’s 91 years, she experienced a full and blessed life, one her family will remember dearly. She is survived by her daughters, Teresa Spence and Joanne MacGregor (Bernie); grandchildren, Elizabeth Johnson,  Jennifer Stedman (JohnLuke), Andrew MacGregor (Michelle), Matthew MacGregor (Angela) and Luke MacGregor (Andrea); great-grandchildren, Micaela Greener (Jonathan), Lexie Morris (Adam), Chloe MacGregor (Morgan), Patrick Dugay, Claire Dugay, Aiden Elliott-Taylor, Kalen Stedman, Resa Stedman and Atlas MacGregor; and great-great-grandchildren, Bode Greener, Indie MacGregor and Jude Greener.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by husband, Kenneth; sister, Patricia; brother, Thomas and brother-in-law, Murray Gilroy.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the staff of Evergreen Home for Special Care. The compassion, kindness and patience of every person who works there is demonstrated in the gifts and love they share with the residents in their care. The family will forever be grateful for the support you have shown to both Mom and our family.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A private double committal service for Jewel and Ken will be held at a later date, in Maplewood Cemetery, Windsor. Donations in memory of Jewel may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia, 112-2719 Gladstone St., Halifax, NS B3K 4W6. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca