Marie-Jeanne (Jean) Nigro

Marie-Jeanne (Jean) Nigro took her final breath in her 100th year on November 13th 2021 in the arms of her eldest granddaughter.

Marie-Jeanne was born during the roaring 20's in St. Joseph Manitoba on October 2, 1922. She lived an amazing life over the past century. Witnessing 15 different Prime Ministers, 4 reigning British Monarchs and the discoveries of insulin and penicillin. Perhaps this is why she swore by J.R. Watkins products as cure-all…It had been around even longer than she! Marie-Jeanne lived through the great depression of 1929 and 4 pandemics. She experienced life before computers, the electric washing machine, airplanes, automobiles, public radio and television. It's amazing that she was able to witness our world change so dramatically, yet she maintained a simple life through her experiences with family, friends and neighbours.

Marie-Jeanne moved to Fort William, Ontario at age 21 and worked at Can-Car as a munitionette building Hell Driver aircrafts during WWII. This is where she met her husband, Joe Nigro. They settled in Port Arthur and had 2 children; Elizabeth and Joseph Robert. When her husband passed away in 1971, she was just 48 years of age and never remarried. She would always say "I vowed for as long as we both shall live...and I'm still alive.”

In the late 1960's Jean began working at the Lakehead University library where she was employed until her retirement in 1987. In her retirement, Jean enjoyed socializing with friends at the bingo hall or casino, chatting with passersby while shovelling snow or gardening, spending time with her granddaughters, and ‘religiously’ attending church every Sunday. To her benefit, Jean was incredibly stubborn and strong willed. She maintained her own home until her health deteriorated at 94 years of age when she moved to the care of Pioneer Ridge Nursing Home.

‘Omi’, as she was known by her grandchildren and their friends, was always welcoming and giving. She enjoyed when her grandchildren stopped by for a visit and was always quick to offer a friendly smile, meal and conversation. Saturday night dinner was a mandatory standing date at Omi’s house. No matter who you were with, if you were in Thunder Bay on a Saturday, you made it to Omi's before she called "Supper’s on"! Everyone was always welcome at Omi’s dinner table. She always made family and friends feel cared for.

Left to cherish Omi’s memory are: daughter Elizabeth Huber (Thunder Bay) and son Joseph Robert "Bob" (Vikki) Nigro (Renfrew); 6 grandchildren; Heidi Huber (Nat Kerber) (Thunder Bay), Erin Huber (Toronto), Jennifer Huber (Langley), Kirsten (Stephen) Dachs (Stouffville), Amanda Nigro (Renfrew), Daniel Nigro (Renfrew); 6 great-grandchildren; Haddon Hall, Claire Wrightsell, Magnus Wrightsell, Veronica Wrightsell, Jacob Dachs and Emma Dachs and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, Joe Nigro, all 4 of her siblings, her niece and goddaughter Jean MacDonald, and her son-in-law Gernot Huber.

Thank you to all the staff at Pioneer Ridge for doing such a great job caring for Jean and being such a big part of her life over the past 5 years.

We are so fortunate and honoured to have had her with us for as long as we did. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Jean was always giving of her time. To honour her life, we encourage you, too, to give your time to those you hold dear. Earthly posessions are temporary, but cherished memories will transcend lifetimes.