Sarah Amy Jean (Bell) TWEDDLE

Jean Tweddle, age 87, passed away on March 11, 2018 in hospital at the Biggar & District Health Centre, Biggar, SK.   Jean is survived by son Gary (Corinne), Kelsey (Don) and Bailey; daughter Kathy Leeb (Mark), Erin (Devin), Amy (Joe); daughter Linda Lewis (Craig), Jennafer (Stephen), Mark (Carla), Jordan; daughter Leigh Anne Scott (Mike), Kalene (Devin), Mathew, Chad, Sydney; daughter Ardis Hufnagel (Eric), Katy, Margot, Annika and Nathan, as well as 12 great-grandchildren.

Jean Bell was born on August 21, 1930 in Tessier where she spent her formative years.  She was married to Earl Tweddle on October 23, 1954 and moved to the Tweddle family farm where they lived until 2010, enjoying the friendship and company of many wonderful neighbors and friends.  There they worked hard at establishing a successful mixed farm operation and raising their five children, watching each of them grow into successful adults.   Jean was an active member of the Harris Home and School as well as a lifelong member of the Feudal Ladies Community Club.   Jean strongly advocated for the value of education and was proud to see each of the kids continue post-secondary schooling at various institutions. 

To say Jean was a hard worker would be an understatement and all who knew her much appreciated her wide array of skills - from sewing, to cooking, to arts and crafts.  She was indeed a “Martha Stewart” who was decades ahead of her time.  For years she taught microwave cooking classes through Community College and as an ambitious entrepreneur published four editions of her own cookbook which were sold “on the road” across Saskatchewan.  Jean also attended craft shows throughout the province, often with Earl in tow and was known as the “angel lady” for her beautifully custom made angel dolls.   Jean was particularly skilled as a cake decorator and was a seamstress who could sew practically anything.  She was a highly skilled cook and chef to which all family, friends and neighbors can attest and took great pride in the farm, her pristine and meticulously kept yard and garden and her lovely “new” home on the farm.  Jean took great pleasure in creating wonderful desserts for the family and was especially pleased to see Earl enjoy them, which he did!   She and Earl loved to pattern dance and attended many jamborees at Manitou Beach.  In addition to this, they were also able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Hawaii and Florida and various other places during their retirement. 

Jean was a pleasant, popular and highly respected member of the community.  Although she was strong willed and determined, Jean was, above all else, a kind and gentle soul who was a firm believer in the golden rule.  Jean was not just a farmer’s wife - she had grown up wanting to be a teacher and although she never was trained as such, nor taught formally in a public school classroom, she taught her family and all who knew her many admirable virtues including patience, kindness and respect and was the ultimate role model for her five children, their spouses and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Jean’s calm and very proper demeanor also effectively disguised a person who very much enjoyed a good practical joke and shared many laughs, teasing and fun with the family and at times, like any other wife, mother or grandma - she would get “rodeoing” and those privy to this would quickly fall into line, including Earl who thought he ruled the roost but knew better.

Jean was extremely proud of her kids and loved to host family functions.  She and Grandpa were wonderful hosts for the grandkids during holidays or for extended summer visits and they all have fond and warm memories of time spent at the farm.  There wasn’t much she and Earl enjoyed more than loading the kids up and going for an evening drive to check the cattle at Tessier and driving home to enjoy the beautiful summer sunset afterwards.

Jean moved to the Norwest Apartments in Biggar in 2010 where she resided until her passing.  Flowers are gratefully declined.  Donations may be made in her memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation,1738 Quebec Avenue, Unit 26, Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 1V9, if desired.  According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and a family service will follow at a later date.