Jean Margaret Boyd (nee Dickey) was born in Toronto on November 2nd, 1918 the only child of Robert Wilfred Dickey and Edith Janet (Muir) Dickey. Her beloved husband Dr. Russell Thomas Boyd predeceased her in December 2015 after a devoted marriage of 65 years.
Jean was universally loved by all who knew her; she was a strong, intelligent and always loving woman who was decades ahead of her time. In 1936, Jean graduated from Moulton Ladies College which was founded with McMaster University. Jean then later attended business college. Before meeting Russell, she worked for several years with several employers acquiring practical business experience and honing her life long business skills and aptitude for investments. In one of her first jobs in 1945 at General Foods Ltd she purchased a lifetime annuity which has, upon the time of her death, been paying her benefits for 72 years!
Jean was certainly a devoted wife, and mother, but her talents as Russell’s business partner were instrumental in the successful implementation of several enterprises. Jean managed Russell’s multi-dentist dental offices in Australia and Canada; she helped establish and manage dental supply and related businesses, and worked with Russell and later Warren in launching a gemstone business with international clientele that still continues after 60 years. Russell and Jean were world travellers together on business and pleasure and this travel partnership continued into their 90’s. Jean’s aptitude for hard work and organisational skills as a working Mom were admired by all her children who also emulated this strong work ethic.
It was an event in Jean’s early life that shaped her into the person she became. When she was 18 months old, her father a civil engineer for the City of Toronto was seriously injured in an explosive blast that left him completely blind and unable to continue his career as an engineer. Her dear Father, a devoted Christian, had the strength of character and support of his faith to accept this tragedy, rehabilitate, and create a new career to support his young family. After a long recovery with the guidance of CNIB, Jean’s mother Edith, assisted him in reading textbooks until he ultimately established himself in a new and successful career as physiotherapist. Jean learned early in life by the example of her parents never to let your circumstances tear away your faith and to work as a team with your life partner to get remarkable things accomplished.
Jean Dickey met Russell T. Boyd through their church connections at Peoples Church and even while Russell was attending University of Toronto she began assisting him with finalizing his papers. They eventually married in Australia in 1950 and immigrated back to Canada by 1955. They were equally devoted to their Christian life supporting countless missionaries and opening their home many times to missionaries on furlough and in recent years worked tirelessly with the Seniors Group at Bayview Glen Alliance Church.
Over the course of their 65-year marriage and with the growth of a successful gemstone business, Jean was the proud recipient of many fine pieces of designer jewellery from Russell, which Jean loved to wear to advertise the business and the family’s love of gemstones. Jean was always impeccably dressed and built her wardrobe around her fine jewellery collection.
Jean is survived by her children Jeanette Boyd, twin sons Robert and Warren Boyd, and Carolyn (Boyd) Ray, and daughters-in-law Juliana Boyd and Christina Zhao, son-in-law Gary Ray; and her grandchildren (by Jeanette) Jessica and her husband Luke Medson, Kyle Blackman and fiancé Olivia Frechette, (by Robert) Alexandra, Graham and fiancé Danielle Mountjoy, Andrew and Michael Boyd, (by Warren) Jonathan Boyd and his wife Ruth, Philip Boyd and his wife Stephanie, Emilie and James Boyd, (by Carolyn) David, Colin and Olivia Ray; by her step grandchildren Katelyn Dong, Andrea Ray Gleason and husband Kevin Gleason, Maeghan Ray Orton and husband Reg Orton; by her great-grandchildren Erick Boyd, Aaron Boyd, Wesley Boyd, Marlow Gleason, and Reginald “Finn” Orton. Jean had a large welcoming heart and others called her mother/grandmother as well including Rose & Carlos Ibarra and their children Michael and Elizabeth; and Kathleen Fernandez and her children Hannah Gray, Emily Kate Gray, and Joshua Gray.
Friends may call for visitation at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home, 8911 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, Ontario south of 16th Ave. north of Highway No.7 on Friday June 16th from 5 to 8 pm; and the second visitation on Saturday June 17th at 10:00 am. The Funeral Service will be held at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home on Saturday June 17th at 11:00 am. Reception to follow at Chapel Ridge. Interment will take place immediately following the reception at Minesing Union Cemetery Minesing, Ontario.
As an expression of sympathy flowers will be received at Chapel Ridge on Friday June 16th or in lieu of flowers a donation can be made the Christian Medical and Dental Society.