RICKARD, Jean Arabella Rickard

With heavy hearts and profound love, a long and colorful life came to a close on the morning of Saturday, May 30, 2026 when Jean Arabella (nee Bonathan) Rickard passed away at Bowmanville Hospital, surrounded by her family. Jean was the firstborn of four daughters, born on August 18, 1922, to loving parents Harvey and Gladys Bonathan. Preceded in death by her husband, Roy ‘Brenton’ Rickard, her three sisters – Barbara Kirk, Ruth Bonathan and Mary Margaret Bonathan – and her son-in-law Kenneth Elashuck.

After graduating Bowmanville High School in 1940, Jean enrolled at Shaw’s Business College, Toronto for one-year. Jean began her journey as a secretary for The Ontario Research Foundation, Queens Park, Toronto. Two years into her career, fate took an unexpected turn; she was diagnosed with rheumatic fever. Her illness put a stop to her returning to the bustling city of Toronto. Her father, Harvey, owner of HC Bonathan Hardware Store, Newcastle offered her a position managing the company books – an opportunity Jean seized with determination.

On September 8, 1945, Jean’s life blossomed when she married Brenton, a marriage that would span an extraordinary 65 years. Their years together overflowed with laughter, daring adventures, and globetrotting, all shared with lifelong friends.

Jean Arabella Rickard was a star pitcher on the South Durham Girls’ Softball Team. She also enjoyed bowling with the local ladies’ league at the community hall, where her competitive spirit shone through. Jean’s green thumb brought her caring for flowers of all kinds – her favorites were roses, gladiolas, asters – and she had a talent for arranging floral containers that brightened every space. Jean loved birds and enjoyed watching them feed from her sliding kitchen door at their property on Mill Street South. Together, they built a warm and welcoming home for family gatherings, Rickard picnics, Lions barbeques, and Brenton’s famous pig roasts – a life that was rich in family, faith and cherished memories.

Jean devoted herself to her loved ones and also to her community. Her legacy is etched in the love she shared and the lives she forever touched. Jean’s spirit serves as a beautiful reminder to embrace life openly and generously – one of love, and compassion.

Jean taught her five children the value of resilience, kindness, and family –– values that became the foundation of generations to come. Her home was more than a house; it was a gathering place filled with laughter, wisdom, conversation, and unconditional love: George (Lana), Beverly (Mark), Janice (David), Doug (Robin I-R), Robin (Wendy).

Grandma-Jean kept us connected to each other, making everyone feel seen. She knew every family story, every milestone, every challenge, and every joy. She cared deeply for her eleven grandchildren: Elan (Don), Mike (Tania), Darrin (Miranda), Danny, Jeff (Amanda), Laura (Nico), Rudy (Willow), Whitney (Dale), Keegan (Meaghan), Joel (Kasandra), Brynn (Spencer). No matter where life took us, Grandma-Jean always seemed to know exactly what was happening in each of our lives. She kept the stories of our family close to her heart.

Jean always wanted a big family, and thrived in her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Jean celebrated each new milestone with joy and pride – connecting to the lives of her twelve great-grandchildren: Ryan, Matt, Quinn, Brady, Maisie, Teagan, Mylo, Luca, Jaimeson, Ryker, Alice, Beau and a baby boy on the way in September. Jean was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Over the course of her remarkable 103 years, Jean witnessed a century of change, remaining a steadfast anchor for her family through every season of life. She approached every challenge with resilience and every joy with a warm heart. She was the beloved matriarch of our family.

Known for her compassionate spirit and generous heart, Jean was a devoted caregiver to Brenton, a proud Lioness member, an avid member of the Horticultural Society, and an active participant in the Newcastle Village Historical Society. For many years, Jean dedicated herself to fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society. A faithful member of the UCW and Newcastle United Church. It was while attending Sunday School, Jean and Brenton first met, as teenagers – a meeting that blossomed into a love story spanning decades.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request that donations be made in Jean’s honor to Lakeridge Health Cancer Centre, Newcastle United Church, or a charity of your choice.

Join us to celebrate her extraordinary 103 years of life on Monday, June 22, 2026, Newcastle Funeral Home – Memorial Celebration 2pm to 5pm.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Newcastle United Church 11am, followed by a luncheon in the church hall.

Memorial Visitation