DePape (nee Kerr) Muriel
Jean passed away at home
in Abbotsford, B.C. on September
27, 2009. She was born in Killarney, Manitoba to Albert and Lillian Kerr on
May 13, 1926.
Jean lived every day of her
83 years with conviction, dignity and contagious enthusiasm for life. Shewas
a mother, grandmother,friend, educator, business woman, mentor, confi dant,
advisor and community leader. She was always there for everyone who needed her, giving freely and generously of her time and life experience.
Jean worked tirelessly and faithfully on her many community, church, travel and business endeavors – her
limitless energy amazed all who knew her. Faith and love of music were pillars of her life.
Jean grew up on the family farm near Killarney.
She went to Teacher's College in Minto, Manitoba and worked as a teacher for several years, later becoming the Director of Adult Extension Education
in Manitoba. She married John DePape in 1951 and they moved shortly thereafter to the United States for John's work. In 1958, they moved to Abbotsford
where Jean has lived (excepting a brief move to Calgary, Alberta) ever since.
Jean has been very involved in the Abbotsford community as an evening Supervisor at the Fraser Valley College, a volunteer travel and tour coordinator for the City for 15 years, and an active member
of her church for more that 50 years. She was bitten by the travel bug in 1979 and has since traveled and
conducted tours on all the continents and oceans of the world! She was the founding President of the Fraser Valley Chapter of the Canadian Breast
Cancer Foundation – a cause that constituted a signifi cant part of her life's work. She was recognized for
her contributions with the Myrtle Evertt Woman of the Year Award in 1996.
She was predeceased by her husband John and cousin Cliff Smith. She is survived by her children David (Elaine)
DePape, Julia (Chuck) Minter, her grandchildren Christopher and Joshua, her brother Keith Kerr, and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of her life will be held at Trinity Memorial United Church, 33737 George Ferguson Way,
in Abbotsford, on Saturday, October 10 at 2:00p.m. In lieu of fl owers, a gift may be directed to the DePape
Memorial Endowment Scholarship through the Development Offi ce of the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, B.C. Jean lived life ''large'', according to a script she wrote and directed from beginning to end. Although this chapter is now fi nished, another has just begun...