Jane Truelove

Jane peacefully slipped away on the evening of Friday, November 8th after confronting her illness with strength and resilience over the last two and half years. Jane is survived by her amazing and beloved children, Katsua, Cynthia, and Keenai, step kids Ryan and Ooloosie, her sister Julie (John and Zoey), cousin Andrea (Robin), and friend and former husband, Brian. Jane will be greatly missed by extended family and friends, her cottage family at Muskrat Lake, and her four-legged family members, Roscoe, Riley, and Bear. She is predeceased by her soulmate and best fishing buddy, Brett Gilchrist, her parents, John and Diana (Graham) Truelove, and all family and friends who passed before her, waiting to welcome her on this journey. 

Jane would tell you that her life started when Katsua, Cynthia, and Keenai came home to her. There are too many memories to count, including Katsua’s early morning Tim’s and hockey games; with Cynthia as a new generation of Motley Crue fan this summer with Jane’s throwback to 1980s big hair bands; and Keenai’s Britannia beach adventures in a tornado and meeting Brett for the first time with a fishhook in his back at Pembroke Hospital. This selfie queen was a secret Star Trek fan who could quote more lines than she cared to admit. Jane’s compassion for people and community made her home a welcome place for all the kids’ friends and neighbours, from bouncy castles in the backyard to baking and sharing meals.

Jane’s family and caregivers offer their sincere thanks to each of Jane’s doctors, nurses, and personal support workers, including staff of The Ottawa General Hospital, Bruyère Saint Vincent Hospice and end of life Doula, Joey Ward.

A celebration of life for Jane will be held on Tuesday, November 26th from 1pm to 3pm (with prayers and memories shared at 2pm) at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Home, 3440 Richmond Road, Ottawa. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Cobden Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane’s memory to St. Margaret’s Anglican Church in Vanier are appreciated (e-transfers can be made to office@stmargaretsvanier.ca or cheques payable to St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, PO Box 79048 Vanier Post Office, Ottawa, ON K1L 1A1. Please include note, In Memory of Jane Truelove). 

 “I know I’m going to be a beautiful bird always flying over Muskrat Lake. Remember that every second of our life is exactly as it’s meant to be. It’s not too short or too long, it’s simply ours. Every part of me is joyous and grateful and ready for this journey. Thank you dear friends for always having my back. Please empower my kids, don’t pity them. And when you see a bird, a really happy bird, know that it’s me.”