Jean Hanna (nee MacDonald)

Peacefully on March 23, 2026 at the Lions Prairie Manor, Jean Hanna passed away at the age of 105 years.

Mom was born on July 24, 1920 at Portage la Prairie to parents, Loa and Earl MacDonald. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Sam, son Donn, siblings Vern, Gwen, Murray, and John. She leaves to mourn her passing her children Lois (John) Edwards, Karen Simmons, Julie (Richard) Duchnycz. Missing her are her grandchildren Michael (Lisa) Edwards, Sean (Kristen) Edwards, Ryan (Emelie) Hanna, Richard Hanna, Jil (Mike) Steeves, Carrie (Kent) Stander, Emma Simmons (Sandy), David (Yan) Duchnycz, Glen (Denise) Duchnycz. Also missing her are her great-grandchildren Georgia, Sam, Sophie, Eric, Teague, Mia, Lilia, Ethan, Juliette, Lucas, and Eloise.

Music figured prominently in her busy life in South Alameda. She played piano by ear and was happy to accompany other musicians in concerts, competitions, and dances. And of course she played the hymns every week for Sunday School. She taught piano and coached singing.

We are so proud of her other achievements as well – her sewing; the huge garden she grew every year; the canning of hundreds of quarts of vegetables and fruit; the prizes she won for her baking at the Agricultural Fair. But it was not all work. She and Dad discovered Canasta and taught it to the neighbors. The result was many enjoyable winter evenings playing cards and shooting the breeze.

Mom began her teaching career as a permit teacher in Manitoba & Saskatchewan. In 1960 she attended Teacher’s College in Winnipeg, and subsequently earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974 from the University of Manitoba. She taught Grade 6 for 11 years at North Memorial school, serving 8 of those years as vice-principal. She taught an additional 12 years at La Verendrye school. Mom was a true believer in the value of education, not only for her students but for herself and her family.

In their retirement, Mom and Dad took motor trips in Canada and the U. S. and especially enjoyed their several trips to Hawaii. A Saturday night in the winter season would often see Mom attending a Winnipeg Symphony concert while Dad watched the hockey game. Mom was a member of the UCW of McKenzie United Church and a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Family was extremely important to Mom. She welcomed everyone with food, whether dinner or afternoon tea. She loved it when family visited the house, and in later years the cottage at Delta was the scene of many happy gatherings.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Lions Prairie Manor for the care and compassion they showed our mother over the past eight years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel in Portage la Prairie. A private interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The service will be livestreamed, to register and view the service visit Jean’s obituary page at www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com .

Flowers are gratefully declined. If you so wish, support of Fight Blindness Canada, would be greatly appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com