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Classicist, B.A., (Hons.), M.A., M.Phil.
Jane Evelyn Reid, daughter of the late Phyllis Bell and John (Jack) Bell and step-daughter of the late Marjorie Helen Bell, died peacefully in her sleep in the Palliative Care unit of Northumberland Hills Hospital, Cobourg, from complications from cancer in her 76th year. Beloved wife for 51 years of Fraser Reid; mourned by her daughter, Ariadne (and Shaun Watkins), son, Niall, (and Andrea), grandson, Derek, granddaughters, Trinity and Siobhan, and Isaac Watkins, Cullen Watkins, and Darryl Campbell. Attended R.H.King Collegiate, Scarborough, and earned her degrees at Victoria College, University of Toronto; attended the American Academy in Rome, and taught Latin, Greek and Fine Arts of the Classical Period for one year at Florida State University in Tallahassee; Toronto area manager for EBS Services (income tax preparation) and secretary and estates clerk at Fraser, Simms & Reid (later & Spyropoulos, LLP) law firm in Weston; she and Fraser moved from Toronto to Cobourg in 2011. Active in the United Church of Canada congregations of West Hill, Washington (later Scarborough Bluffs), and Trinity in Cobourg; Jane enjoyed producing chancel drama and is much remembered for her writing, producing, and directing “The Christmas Story”, initially with Lorna Joblin, for seven years at Washington, engaging the whole congregation; served on the Christian Nurture Committee of Scarborough Presbytery; known as the “Basketball Lady” to youth in the area surrounding Washington participating in church-sponsored basketball games, (perhaps foretold by her refereeing basketball games at R.H. King as she was too small to play but knew the rules?); at Trinity, Jane served on the Worship Division, later chair, and the Affirm Committee, later co-chair; Jane was seniors representative on the Pride Northumberland committee under the auspices of the Cobourg Police Service; Jane, with Fraser, looked forward to their trips to Stratford with their good friend, Jack Whiteside: good theatre, good food, and good wine; Jane enjoyed the opera, the ballet, the symphony, folk music, the Northumberland Learning Connection programmes, WestBen, and reading mysteries and medieval history and, earlier, with Fraser, J.J.R.Tolkien; she was active in reading groups, reading notably Chaucer and W. H. Auden. A private family interment service was held at St. John’s Norway Cemetery in Toronto. The family are grateful for the care given to Jane by the Durham Region Cancer Centre and the Northumberland Hills Hospital. Memorial donations are requested to be made to Trinity United Church, Cobourg, Northumberland Hills Hospital, or the charity of your choice. Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com or through mail at MacCoubrey Funeral Home, 30 King Street East Cobourg Ontario K9A1K7.
A donation has been made in Jane’s memory to the Trinity Stained Glass Restoration Fund.
Dear Fraser and family, I am very sorry to learn of Jane's passing. I loved her quiet passion for justice and the time she devoted to what is right. I appreciated her facility with words and her gracious acceptance of others. She was a beautiful soul. I am sorry for your loss and wish you all that you need in order to carry on. Anne Burnham
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Jane was a treasure for whom I had great respect. She had such a gentle, intelligent spirit and cared so deeply for Human Rights. We served on Trinity’s Affirm Committee and “marched” together for Pride Northumberland. Always kind, positive and committed, she was an absolute joy to work with. My heart goes out to you Fraser - I’m grateful for the privilege of knowing you both. Love Lynda
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
I extend my sympathy to Fraser and family. I valued the time I spent with Jane at Trinity.
Dear Frasier and family: Words fall short of expressing our sorrow for the loss of your dear friend, mother and wife, Jane. When we have lost someone we love, we have taken comfort from these words found in Revelation 21:4: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (KJV). Though we may not know how many tears we have cried, Our Heavenly Father notices and accounts for every one of them. Psalm 56:8 says: “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” (KJV) Please be assured that God knows your pain and we pray that you find comfort, hope, and peace during this trying time. Tab and Janis Honsberger (Haiti)
Dear Fraser, Ariadne & Nial: Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We are sure that you have so many happy memories of your dear Jane to reflect on. And personally please remember what God has promised us: "When anxieties overwhelmed me, You comforted and soothed me." Psalm 94:19. Please accept our warm love, Russell & Randi Reid
It was a pleasure to get to know Jane the last five years as we shared executor duties for our mutual friend, Glenn Hunnings. Condolences to Fraser and the rest of the family.
Holding the sweetest picture and memories of Jane in my heart right now. I am so grateful that I had the chance to know her and enjoy some marvelous times and conversations with her over these many years. She will be missed by us all. Holding you in love and in my prayers as well - Sue
A donation has been made to Northumberland Hills Hospital.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church
Fraser and family: Jane was a special lady with her quiet but strong ways and her subtle sense of humour. We shall miss her.
Frazer, Ariadne, Shaun, Niall, Andrea and Families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of such loss. Before the pandemic, Jane ask that we check out the Stain Glass windows in the balcony. We have not. We will make our donation to the Stain Glass Windows Fund in Janes memory. Jane was such a wonderful person and we treasured her conversations
Fraser, Ariadne, Shaun, Niall, Andrea and families; heartfelt sympathy to all of you. Jane was a very special and gracious woman whom we shall all miss. May God give you comfort during this difficult time.
Much sympathy to you and your family, Fraser; I knew Jane to be a kind and thoughtful woman who always shared a bright smile with everyone. I'm so sorry for your loss.
We are so very sad to hear of Janes passing. She was a kind and inspirational lady. We will miss her at Trinity. Condolences to the family.
Dear Fraser and Family, We are very sorry to hear of Jane’s passing. We enjoyed having her as an active members sharing in the life and the work of the church at Trinity. Jane is now with her Lord and Saviour in whom all the promises of God are realized. The Peace of Christ be with you always.
So sorry to read of Jane’s passing. I served with Jane on Trinity Council.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church