At the age of 79, Jane died peacefully on June 29, 2022 at her nursing home in Ottawa after a lengthy and difficult struggle with Lewy Body dementia, a form of Parkinson's Disease.
Beloved mother of Peter Newman (Katelyn) and adoring grandmother to Alexis, Carter and Olivia, all of Mississauga.
Jane will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her sister Liisa Peer (Jamie Kirk) and niece Kathryn Peer all of Ottawa.
She is predeceased by her loving parents Roy and Anita Kuittinen and her aunts Marion Kuittinen, Freda Amos and Violet Kuittinen. Also predeceased by uncle Caesar Possamai and aunts Laura Possamai, Ann Abernot and Mildred (Dolly) Ruff.
Jane was a devoted football and baseball mom never failing to attend the games and cheer on son Peter and his team mates. She was always entertained by her son's many friends who gathered faithfully at their home. Known for her kindness and generosity, Peter's friends loved to visit the Newman home on Valhalla. Whether enjoying the pool or playing billiards, Jane enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Peter and his friends during these years.
Jane was always known for being impeccably dressed. Her love of fashion was instilled at a young age as The Fashion Shop was the family business. Her aunt Violet and father Roy were the original owners of this iconic Queen Street store starting out in the early 1940's until their retirement in the mid 1970's. She went on to be the Regional Merchandising Manager for Walkers department store for a number of years and then worked as an independent contractor doing displays and 'dressing windows' for many of the Soo's clothing stores.
By the mid-1970's, she opened Decor Designs at 625 Queen Street East, the Soo's first home accessories store. A few years later she expanded to a much larger location across the street at 610 Queen. The popular shop was one of the 'go to' stores in Queenstown for over 30 years until her retirement. She was a fixture in her store rarely missing a day, always working with her displays and assisting her staff and customers. Her mother Anita was also a mainstay and her aunt Laura was the bookkeeper for many years. Sister Liisa also was a member of the staff as her General Manager from 1985 to 1995. Her many staff over the years always had a special spot in her heart.
Retiring to be closer to her grandchildren, Jane moved to Mississauga and lent her son's family a helping hand. She was proud of her grandchildren and enjoyed watching them grow up. She provided them with love and support for which they will always remember. Jane would spend the summer months as well as the Christmas Holidays with her sister's family in Ottawa. She enjoyed many blissful days at their cottage on Mississippi Lake as well as travelling with them to the Outer Banks and Spain.
The last five years of her life were spent in the care of the compassionate staff of Forest Hill LTC home. The family is deeply indebted to these exceptional people who tirelessly worked to make Jane's life as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Kind and generous, patient and wise, Jane will be missed by the many who were lucky enough to have known her. A celebration of life will be held in Ottawa at the end of August.