Friends, cousins, nieces and nephews mourn the death of Mary Ellen Jeans, C.M., Ph.D. Mary Ellen passed away peacefully in Ottawa, on December 26, 2023.
Mary Ellen was a dynamic and unique individual who lived life to its fullest. She was wise, passionate, creative and had an appreciation for creativity in others. She loved art, travel, culinary adventures and the discovery of new wines.
Along with her life partner of more than 50 years, the late Dr. Kathleen (Kitty) Rowat, Mary Ellen was the consummate hostess. The doors of their beautiful homes were always open to a wide circle of friends. It did not matter where they travelled – Montreal, Ottawa, small hidden villages in France, the backroads of Québec or the Bahamas, Mary Ellen would invariably run into someone she knew. Mary Ellen and Kitty made friends everywhere, a testament to their kindness and generosity.
Born on March 27, 1943 in Guelph, Ontario, to the late Florence Clough and Robert “Bob” Jeans, Mary Ellen inherited her dad’s passion for music, but knew at a young age that health care was to be her calling.
Mary Ellen obtained her Registered Nurse Diploma from the Hamilton Civic Hospital in 1963 and went on to receive her BScN and MScN from McGill University. She earned a doctorate of Psychology from McGill in 1976.
A recognized and decorated nursing leader, Mary Ellen remained, throughout her life, a fierce advocate for health care reform and the role of nursing within the health system She saw the launch of the first multidisciplinary pain clinic in Canada at the Montreal General Hospital and served as its first administrative director. As head of McGill University's School of Nursing, she was instrumental in establishing Canada’s first Ph.D. program in the field. She also steered the Canadian Nurses Association and the Academy of Canadian Executive Nurses, helping to bring about greater investment in education and research, and greater awareness of the profession's history as an integral part of Canada's heritage.
For her contribution to nursing and health care, among her many honours, Mary Ellen was invested into the Order of Canada (C.M), received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and was awarded the Distinguished Career Award of the Canadian Pain Society. During her illustrious career, she found great satisfaction in mentoring young students.
A celebration of Mary Ellen’s life will be held at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario), on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Mary Ellen’s and Kitty’s ashes will be interred on Poet’s Hill, at Beechwood Cemetery following a reception.
In lieu of flowers, it was Mary Ellen’s wish that donations be made to the Dr. Kathleen Rowat Graduate Studies Award through the Canadian Nurses Foundation cnf-fiic.ca
For those attending in person, we ask that you RSVP at maryellensmemorial@gmail.com.
For those who are unable to attend in person, you are invited to register for a livestream via the livestream tab located above.
Digital Guestbook
M-j mcgraw
Janet Helmer
Rest in Peace my friend
Colleen O'Brien
Mary Ellen you were the best research advisor. I learned so much from you in my Master's program. And I will never forget the party you threw for our class. Out came all the hats from your huge collection & we danced our hearts out. And then when we defended our thesis, you took us out to the Faculty Club to celebrate. Thank you for influencing my career. I am grateful to you, Kitty & McGill Faculty of Nursing. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Mark Curfoot-Mollington
So many happy memories and inItaly. Mary Ellen and Kitty were extraordinary women. We thank God for them both and the differences to our society they brought abot over so many decades. AND they made the best martinis!!!
Dr. Marlene Smadu
I offer sympathy to Mary Ellen's family and friends on her passing. I know you will be supported by many amazing memories of this great woman. I met Mary Ellen when she was ED at CNA and I attended CNA Board meetings as ED of the SRNA. She recognized my "deer in a headlight" look at my first meeting, provided me with sound advice and support, and became a mentor for life. A call to Mary Ellen would be met with her great listening, focused advice, and a good laugh. She and Kitty always remembered and demonstrated the fullness of life, good friends, laughter and hospitality.
Sharon Sholzberg-Gray, C.M.
My sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mary Ellen Jeans. I mourn the passing of my long time dear friend and professional colleague. We worked together for many years as co-chairs of the Health Action Lobby, advocating for accessible and equitable access for all Canadians to a broad continuum of health services- provided by appropriate and appreciated Health Human Resources. We also had countless good times as we “gracefully” grew older tigether - and talked about the past as well as the future. I’m devastated that she passed all too soon, but will treasure forever my memories of past times. My late spouse Rt. Hon. Herb Gray valued her friendship, and my son Dr. Jonathan Gray and daughter Elizabeth Gray felt privileged to know her. Rest in peace with dear Kitty.
Marie Fortier
Sincere condolences to Mary Ellen's family and all her many friends. Mary Ellen and I met when she first came to Ottawa on secondment to head up the then NHRDP at Health Canada. Our friendship developed and extended to Kitty and my husband Ambrose Hearn We had wonderful times over drinks and dinners at both their residence and ours. Losing Kitty was quite a blow for Mary Ellen. I will miss Mary Ellen's inquisitive mind and sometimes quirky sense of humour but most of all her warmth and affection. Rest in peace my friend.
Audrey O’Brien, C.M.
My sincere condolences to Mary Ellen’s family and friends. I did not know her for very long but I recognized her as a force of nature. She was generous and kind and did not suffer fools. May she rest in peace.
Caroline Hanrahan
To Mary Ellen, remembering a mentor, colleague and dear friend. Rest in peace.
A kick-ass woman who I met at mcgill, her a tutor, me a green bn student! After a run on campus, she prodded me to run for council pres. I did. Then pushed me to meet with dean. I did. Next thing I knew I was tumbled into a career in nursing educ and we met occasionally at educ mtgs. A grin, a nudge, a chuckle, a dare. a woman truly born for her time!! Deepest respect, thanks M-E, M-J..love