Jean Bowditch

Jean Bowditch, age 103, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at the Meadows – House 16, Swift Current, SK. Jean Bowditch was born February 25, 1920 to Henry & Stella Scott on a farm near Glenella, Manitoba.

One of seven children, there were many hardships growing up but she also had many fond memories. Jean and her brother, Sydney, used to walk several miles on foot to dig up Seneca roots which they would then take to the General Store, where they would receive $0.15 a root. A veritable fortune in those days, they would each buy a chocolate bar. Jean also bought her first pair of shoes for $0.89 and a pair of Whoopee Pants (wide legged trousers), which were very fashionable at that time. 

After graduating from school, Jean stayed home and helped work on the farm and worked for a year as a housekeeper for Mrs. Mitten. She managed to save enough money to take the train to Vancouver, BC where her sisters, Velma and Merle, were living. Once she arrived there, she got a job as an aide at the hospital and worked on the maternity ward for five years. In 1957, Jean took the train to Toronto, ON where she took the two-year nursing program. Once she graduated as an LPN, she continued to work at Grace Hospital for another two years before moving to a farm near Success, SK.

Jean first met Charlie Bowditch in 1937 when he and his brother, Walter, hauled cattle to the Scott’s family farm as there was no feed available. Jean and Charlie corresponded by letter for many years and when she graduated from nursing school in Toronto, Charlie proposed. Jean & Charlie were married on October 30, 1959 in Pennant, SK. As a wedding present, Charlie bought Jean a brand-new black Pontiac, which she drove for many years.

In spring of 1960, Jean got a full-time job at the Swift Current Union Hospital as an LPN on the maternity ward. In her twenty-three years on the ward, she helped deliver hundreds of babies. Jean was proud to be a nurse and a farmer, caring for the land and crops with the same passion as her patients. Jean & Charlie worked hard on their farm, growing grain and raising chickens and cows.

Jean made it a priority to stay involved in her community and always knew what events were taking place. She was well known for her apple pies and chocolate cake with caramel icing. She enjoyed being outside and working in her yard and garden, cutting grass and making sure everything was well watered. Jean especially loved spending time with her family and friends, playing cards, baking, gardening, and canning.

After retirement, Jean & Charlie took a trip to England to see family, as that was where her mother was from. Jean also went on an Alaskan cruise with two of her sisters and a Caribbean cruise with her sister and brother-in-law, Elsie & Edgar Garland.

Jean lived a full life and will be missed by those who knew her. Jean is survived by her sister-in-law, Ella Scott; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews living in New Zealand, England, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, Charlie Bowditch, in 1990; her parents, Henry & Stella Scott; and by her siblings and their spouses, Sydney (Jean) Scott (2012), Castle (Ella) Scott (2011), Vernon (Verna) Scott (2013), Olive (Alfred) Turner (2003), Merle (John) Prescott (2008), and Velma (Arvid) Anderson (2015); and by numerous members of her extended family and in-laws.

The Graveside Service for Jean Bowditch took place on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 11:00 am from Memory Gardens Cemetery, Swift Current. The service card is available to view below.

In memory of Jean Bowditch, donations made to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Meadows Auxiliary would be appreciated by the family.

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