Obituary of Jan Lillian Wilson

May 22, 1952 – Calgary, Alberta

October 31, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

On Thursday, October 31, 2024, Jan Lillian Wilson (nee Hodgins) passed on to her next adventure after a lengthy battle with cancer.

She goes before her daughters, Jacqueline Wilson, Andrea Wilson (Ryan Siemens), and Conneil Wilson; as well as her beloved granddaughters, Haley Hodgins (Travis Delowski) and Maya Wilson; and her great-grandson, Theodore Charles Delowski.

Jan grew up in Calgary and moved to Nanton in her senior year of high school. After graduation, she adventured far and wide. Jan's early escapades included taking to the skies of Northern Canada with the “flying bank” and driving thousands of miles in her Celica with her beloved dog, Buttons. She made lifelong friends when she served in the Canadian Air Force, and then received an honourable release to marry and (almost) settle down with Neil Wilson. With him, she learned to milk cows, churn butter, befriend chickens, and help her daughters collect ponies. After being a farmwife near Nanton, Jan spent the next few years as a mother bear, wreaking havoc, mostly travelling, and trying on new identities (if you know, you know).

In the early 2000s, Jan returned to Nanton to help raise her granddaughter, Maya, who misses her greatly. She was also blessed in her final years to live so close to her beloved granddaughter, Haley, who brought so much joy and laughter. From a few doors down, Great-Grandma Jan was delighted to enjoy the first year of her great-grandson, Theo's life. Jan often remarked that Theo was already a gentleman. The final chapter of her life in Nanton was calmer and simpler than the previous years. Quiet mornings watching the sunrise with the cats, and days spent with her daughter, Jackie, playing with seeds, dirt, and moon gardens.

Jan never really retired and never passed up an opportunity to learn. She was an avid reader and amassed a lifetime of new certificates, diplomas, careers, and businesses: each different from the last, and far too many to list here. Jan took great pride in a job well done. Her dedication to her work, family, and projects was monumental.

Mostly, Jan loved her girls, her cats, the garden, cigarettes, coffee, a heated discussion, mysteries, research, bookkeeping, (or as she called it, "her numbers"), a good murder podcast, a full tank of gas, and the wide-open road. She was described as a wild thing, feral and fierce. No doubt she took those attributes with her to the next life.

Jan is loved, and the world is less without her untamable soul. She is missed.

At Jan’s request, no service will be held. However, condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Jan’s family here.

In living memory of Jan Wilson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.