Jane Leigh Gimson

"Our beautiful Mom passed away peacefully in the evening of June 17,2024 in the Pembroke Regional Hospital. Our Mom, Jane (Janie) Leigh Gimson (nee Rochon), was born and raised in Waltham, QC by parents Guy & Leona Rochon (nee Harkins), along with her sister Jewell, whom she loved and adored dearly. She began her career at the Supples Landing Retirement Residence in Pembroke over 27 years ago in 1997, continuing to work full-time right up until March of 2024. She absolutely loved her job, and thrived because she was good at it. She adored each and every resident under her care and always spoke so highly of her colleagues at Supples. I truly cannot think of a time when our Mom complained about having a bad day at work, or not being happy going in to work. Thank you to the staff and residents at Supples Landing for always showing our Mom the utmost respect and compassion. It seems most fitting, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Supples Landing Retirement Residence in support of the activity department and recreation for the beloved residents our Mom cared for so deeply. Our Mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016. Being a single Mom to both me, Shanda-Leigh Gimson and my younger sister, Krista Hopkins (nee Gimson), I can only imagine just how scary that news must have been. This was definitely one of those "I can't believe it happened to me" moments. With cancer being such an awful piece of my family's history on both sides, it is something you wouldn't wish upon your worst enemy, let alone your parent. Our Mom had originally received a poor prognosis back in 2016, and thanks to her stubbornness and strength, the Universe gifted her 6 precious more years with us. Even her medical team was shocked and impressed. After many hospital and ER visits, surgeries, radiation therapy and chemotherapy in Ottawa, Mom was still determined to keep working and keep living. She would go for her chemotherapy once every 3 weeks for almost 2 years, with a few days off afterwards due to how sick she was, and then off to work she would go. We have lost count on the amount of times people would exclaim "oh my God, your Mom is STILL working?!", "Yup, she is", we would say. The amount of strength, determination, and resilience that we witnessed from my Mom is something that will stick with us forever, and has changed us for the better. We want to thank our Mom's amazing health and home-care team from Bayshore Nursing, and her Nurses in and out of the ICU at the Pembroke Hospital who were nothing short of angels. The work you do for our ailing loved ones is remarkable and immeasurable. 

 To our ever-loving family and friends, we cannot thank you all enough for the immense amount of support and generosity you've shown to my Mom and the two of us. All of the home-cooked meals, baked desserts, gifts and support, it has all truly meant the world. But what we are grateful for most of all is the time you spent with my Mom, and the cherished memories, laughs and comfort you gave her. I know it made this dark time a little bit brighter for her, and that's the best gift of all. It's something we will never forget, and we feel so thankful for each and every one of you, near and far. Our gratitude to our significant others, Erich Wunderlich & Jake Hopkins; our beloved Aunt, our Mom’s sister and one of her most cherished friends, Jewell Cameron and her husband the late Ron Cameron; our amazing Cousin’s, Mom’s Nieces: Jan (Paul), Jac (Derek) & Jess (Dave); and Great-Nephews: Jaiden and Colt 

 Mom, we are so sorry this was the hand that you were dealt. You gave your whole life to us and never left us wanting for anything. As a single Mom working full-time and trying to raise two young girls, I know it was not the easiest. You deserved to see the Ocean, walk the boardwalk under the sunshine, and plant your feet in the hot sand. Our hope is that wherever you are now, you are doing those things. Our Mom dedicated over half of her life caring for those who could not care for themselves, and we were fortunate enough to do the same for our Mom until the end. She wanted peace and comfort, so that is what we gave her. Her ailing body has been cremated while her spirit will live within us forever. Although she has touched so many lives and many are sharing grief of this loss, respectfully there will be no service at this time. A time of reflection and processing our loss may present a celebration in the future. Thank you, Mom, for everything you gave and everything you have taught us. We will miss you each and everyday and we will live our lives in honour of you. The memory of you will never fade or drift away. You were the best Mom, and we love you so much. We will be okay."

Shanda & Krista