Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Jean Nolan, passed away with loved ones by her side at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton on Feburary 22, 2026. She was a beautiful, giving, and loving person to whom we all looked for guidance and leadership.

Jean was born on July 27, 1932, in Hamilton and was the proud daughter of Malcolm and Mildred McLean (née Benner). She and her sister, Joyce, grew up on Stanley Avenue. Jean attended Westdale High School (1946–1949) and, while still a young teen, became a lifeguard at Jimmy Thompson Memorial Pool.

She married Joe Nolan at St. Joseph’s Church on Locke Street in 1952. Together, they raised seven children and built their family life in Hamilton’s West End. When her youngest children (twins) were in Grade 7, Jean decided to return to school. While remaining the primary caregiver and studying late into the evenings, she
eventually earned her diploma as a Registered Nursing Assistant. She then spent the next twenty years as a dedicated RNA at St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas. Jean loved caring for her patients and was deeply loved by all she met. She also made lifelong friendships there, and after she was widowed in 2006, many of those
coworkers became her cherished support system.

Jean lived her entire life for others. She devoted her time and energy to raising her seven children and was the stable, loving branch her family leaned on for support. As grandchildren arrived, Tuesdays became Grandma’s craft day, when everyone gathered for creativity, laughter, and homemade baked goods. Later, as the grandchildren grew, both Grandma and Grandpa would spend evenings watching their grandchildren at their sporting events. Jean knew each grandchild individually and loved them all equally, without judgment or favour. She even took many trips to Alberta to make sure her ‘western’ grandchildren knew they were loved and part of a bigger clan. Her grandchildren adored her.

In her late sixties, Jean took up painting. Over the next twenty-five years, each of her children and many of her grandchildren received hand-painted birthday and Christmas cards, as well as Christmas ornaments. She became a talented artist, and her paintings are treasured keepsakes that will grow even more meaningful in the years ahead.

Jean never sought the spotlight. Loud gatherings and parties were not her preference, but her friendship was a gift. She was honest, loyal, and deeply trustworthy. You could share your deepest secrets with her and know they were safe. Jean had a gentle, quiet presence and was someone you could always count
on.

Though she never was a churchgoer, Jean firmly believed in serving others. Even well into her nineties, she knitted hats, scarves, and mittens for people experiencing homelessness. She worked on these throughout the year and, each Christmas, one of her friends, or daughters, would deliver them anonymously to a local charity or school. This quiet generosity perfectly captures Jean’s loving and selfless nature. In so many ways, she was an unsung leader and teacher. Her many gifts will continue to live on through her children and her sixty-two grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Cathy (Brian) Coruzzi, Terriey (Chris) Risidore, Peter (Sharon) Nolan, Anne (Rob) Foord, Joanne (Nick) Chalapenko, Jeanne (Wes) Visser. Her twenty-five Grandchildren: Jaclyn (Rob), Carla (Matt), Scott (Ashley), Hayley (William), Nichole (Roger), Ryan (Mandy), Rebekah (Mike), Joshua (Tanya), Jenie Thai (Andrew), Joe (Annalise), Maggie (Craig), Nataya, Johnathan (Christine), Hannah (Matthew), Mary (David), Jennifer (Sam), Sarah, Aaron, Ashton, Courtney (Sean), Brandon, Nola-Rose, Peter (Ian), Sieanna, McLean

Her thirty-seven Great Grandchildren: Jasmine, Mia, Ariana, Leighton, Bryce, Hunter, Chase, Will, Naomi, Julia, Sydney, Rhysse, Zachary, Ella, Tatyana, Lily, Eleanor, Joni, Ruth, Grace, Tom, Sam, Jack, Nick, Kirk, Harrison, Logan, Nolan, Robert, Audrey, Noah, Sophia, Julian, Lydia, Riley, Asher, Ayden. Jean will also be missed by her sisters in law; Rosemary Santucci and Donna Nolan; son in law, Brian Hair. As well by her cousin, Kathy North, and numerous nieces and nephews, and good friends.

Jean was predeceased by her loving husband, Joe, in 2006. As well, by her beautiful daughter, Susan Elizabeth, in 2014.

A visitation and prayer service will be held at 9:00 am, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Bay Gardens Funeral Home- 1010 Botanical Drive, Burlington, ON L7T 1V1.

Our family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at the St. Joseph’s Hospital for their care and compassion.