JACQUELINE ANNE HIGHMOOR

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JACQUELINE ANNE HIGHMOOR

(nee MORTON)

January 23, 1946 - January 8, 2025

After surviving an incredibly difficult 59-year struggle with Crohn’s disease with the unwavering support of Dr. Iliffe in her earlier years and Dr. Mathew in her later years, Jackie lost her four and a half year battle with cancer, with family by her side, at the St. Boniface Hospital on January 8, 2025. Over these last years Jackie persevered through very difficult health challenges to be with family, especially her grandchildren that she absolutely adored.

Jackie was born in Bradford, England in January of 1946, the daughter of Florence a war bride from Bradford and Charlie Morton of Winnipeg who was stationed in England. At six months old Jackie and her mom Florence arrived in Halifax on the Queen Mary and joined Charlie in Winnipeg.

While living in East Kildonan, Jackie was joined by brother Jimmy and sister Brenda. In her early years, she enjoyed figure skating and gymnastics at the local community club.

At the age of 18, Jackie was working as a hairdresser at Hargrave Beauty Center and had developed a very loyal customer base. While working one Saturday morning, a couple of young guys originally from Flin Flon stopped by her work to say hello. That morning Jackie was introduced to Ken and the rest is history.

Jackie and Ken were married in 1965 and their first son John arrived in 1966. They bought their first house in St. Vital in 1969 and their second son Ken Jr. arrived in 1972. During those early years as a young mother, Jackie was on her own much of the time while Ken was working out of town as an electrician. While Ken sacrificed time with family in those early years, working long hard hours out of town, Jackie leaned on her wonderful older neighbours, Teenie and George Peters for support.

In 1975 the family moved to Flin Flon and Ken joined the family trucking company. Over the years Jackie made many lifelong friends and had many interests including curling, weightlifting, painting, and yoga to name a few. In 1977 the family purchased a cottage at Baker Narrows and in 1986 re-built the cottage and moved to the lake full time. Jackie created a beautiful home and had the most incredible flowers at the lake. Wonderful memories were made at the lake with family friends and special neighbours, the Paul and Blanchette families in the earlier years and The Ladies of the Lake in more recent years. Friends were always welcome at the cottage and included “Highmoor Day” during the Trout Festival, kids playing in the sand pile, boating, fishing and water skiing and always ended with the most amazing meals prepared by Jackie.

Jackie and Ken also enjoyed 16 fabulous winters in Texas where they continued to spend countless days with lifelong Flin Flon friends among others. Jackie as usual had re-painted and decorated the home in Texas putting her amazing touch on it.

Jackie was an incredible person. She gave so much, she fought so hard, and she never complained or asked for anything in return. The family has had an incredible outpouring of support from friends over the last number of weeks that shows us how much she was loved by all who knew her. Although her health changed quickly, we are just so grateful that the entire family was able to spend the Christmas holidays with her.

Our family would like to thank the many staff including Dr. Sharma from St. Boniface Hospital who were so caring and compassionate during her final days. Jackie also wanted Sharalyn with cancer care in Flin Flon to know how much she appreciated all the help and support provided to Jackie during her cancer treatments.

Jackie was predeceased by her parents, Charlie and Florence, stepdad Harold Webb, and brother Jimmy. She is survived by her husband Ken, son John, Lisa and granddaughters, Abigail and Megan, son Ken Jr., Lee-Ann and grandsons, Jessie and Chris, and sister Brenda Gibney, Tom, Taura and Angie.

In lieu of flowers, and in Jackie’s memory, donations can be made to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 18, 2025