It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear Mother, Grandmother and Great- Grandmother, Jeanette “Jan” Kurceba on Monday, September 10, 2018.

Jeanette was born on December 13, 1931 to Fred and Mildred Boutotte. Growing up in Fort William with her siblings, Lorraine, Audrey and Edward, Jan pursued a career in nursing. Proud of her graduation in 1952, she went on to nurse in Winnipeg and at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ontario. From the moment Jan laid eyes on William Kurceba, she knew she met the love of her life. They married on June 13, 1953 in Winnipeg, MB, and enjoyed 50 years of marriage. Although Jan nursed for a short time, her greatest achievement was mother to her children Catherine, William Jr. and Denise. As a Mother, Jan was heavily involved in volunteer opportunities such as the St. Agnes Parish Council, Musical Production “Love those Kids” and a Board member for the 3C’s Reintroduction Centre.

In addition to her volunteer commitments, Jan embarked on an entrepreneurial venture as a perogy supplier. Her home was often warm and filled with the aroma of perogies, which kept her children busy pinching after school. Feeding people was the way she showed her love, and she had plenty of practice before she became a Grandma to Melissa, Doug, Megan, Laura, Matthew, Jordan and Jonathan. As a Grandmother, Jan was the ultimate entertainer and natural comedian. From silly voices, singing songs to elaborate stories, Jan made her grandchildren feel so important and valued in her presence. As her family expected, she continued to entertain her great-grandchildren Taylor, Jack and Claire.

Friendships were very important to Jan, and she worked hard to enrich and support her life with many circle of friends. She was always ready for coffee, lunch and lively conversations. She was definitely in her element when discussing political topics within her city and you could often find a heated letter to the editor in the Chronicle Journal.

Always feeling blessed and grateful, Jan gave back to the community through her tireless volunteer fundraising campaign for the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital. Jan was awarded a Provincial Medal of Honour and her name placed a bench at the Hospital along with her partners Jolene Owens and Cece Cranton.

Jan is survived by her children, Cathy (Norman), Bill Jr. (Luci) and Denise (Russell); grandchildren Melissa (Tom), Doug (Julia), Megan, Laura, Matthew (Paige), Jordan (Sam) and Jonathan; great grandchildren Taylor, Jack and Claire; brother in-law, Alex Kurceba; nephew, Sandy Kurceba and niece, Michele Darragh and families.

Predeceased by her husband Bill; parents, Fred and Mildred; brother Edward (Bertha); sisters, Audrey (Sam) Rich and Lorraine (Rudy) Antoniak; father and mother in-law Mary and Steven Kurceba; sister in-law Joyce Kurceba and niece Marilyn Manuel.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, celebrated by Father James Panikulam. Interment will take place in St. Patrick's Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street at James.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to Hospice Northwest and the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Foundation.