Obituary of Jean Katherine Arblaster

ARBLASTER (NEE LAITHWAITE), JEAN KATHERINE passed away on Thursday August 12^th in London, ON in her 88^th year. 

For 59 years, the beloved wife of Gordon Arblaster (2017), dear mother to Wendy Arblaster (Terry Jarvis) of Parkhill and Sara Arblaster (Hillar Heine) of Toronto, and cherished grandmother to Shelby Arblaster, of Reno NV.  Fondly remembered by sisters Frances Hook of Egmondville, ON and Mary Cameron of Sumter, SC, and numerous relatives and friends.  Predeceased by sisters Violet MacKenzie and Irene Hiles. 

Born in Goderich, May 14^th, 1934, Jean attended Victoria School and Goderich District Collegiate Institute and was a proud member of Ontario Athletic Training Camp in 1951. After moving to London, she met Gord and married in 1958.  She devoted herself to her young family and then started her career in 1977 at Middlesex Health Unit as part of the Dental Education Unit, retiring in 1995.

Jean delighted in summer days spent at the family cottage at Hardwick Cove on the shores of Lake Huron laughing with family and friends, playing hopscotch on the beach, and enjoying jigsaw puzzles.  Her love of being outside in nature was seasonless – walking and cross-country skiing.  In retirement, during numerous Florida trips she was able to spend precious time with her granddaughter.

The simple things in life filled Jean with happiness – a robin’s song, a swim in the lake, toasted tomato sandwich, a Huron sunset, a daffodil, a held hand.  She loved a good song and a witty rhyme, bringing a smile to family, friends and later, the staff at Memory Lane. 

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the McCormick Home - Memory Lane staff and administration for the compassionate exceptional care of our Mum for the past 7 years. 

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at Idlewyld Inn (36 Grand Ave London, ON) on Friday August 20^th at 1:00pm. Please send online condolences to https://woodlandcemetery.ca/tribute/current-services/index.html.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be forwarded to the https://www.mccormickcarefoundation.ca/donate in London, ON.