One couple’s legacy for Island kids
Jean Oakman lived a life rich with music, friendship, and quiet generosity. Born in Ontario in 1940, she grew up with a love of learning and caring for others. She later worked as both a teacher and a nurse before moving to Victoria in 1979, where she built a warm, community-minded life until her passing in 2024.
As executor of Jean’s estate, Wendy Croucher came to know her friend even more deeply while carefully sorting through decades of letters, photographs, and keepsakes. “She kept absolutely everything,” Wendy recalled with a smile.
“But you learned so much about her going through it all.”
Jean and her husband, Ted, shared a love of music that shaped much of their life together. Their home often echoed with song—Jean singing while playing guitar or harmonica, and Ted at the organ. Ted became involved with Queen Alexandra Hospital for Children, and together the couple volunteered their time entertaining young patients. One favourite was “The Old Sow,” which Ted performed in a Donald Duck voice—always a hit with the children.
Though they did not have children of their own, Jean and Ted were devoted to supporting Island families and stayed closely connected with nieces, nephews, and friends’ children.
“She always said,
‘Whatever we can do to best serve the children and help them’,” Wendy remembers.
Today, the couple’s generosity continues to make a meaningful difference.
Jean and Ted would be pleased to know their gift will help build Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island’s new Home Away From Home in Nanaimo, Jesse’s House. Their gift will ensure that families won’t have to worry about where they will stay when they must travel to Nanaimo for their child’s health care needs, allowing them to focus on their well-being.
Leaving a legacy gift like Jean and Ted’s in your estate plans is a meaningful way you can help shape the future care of Island kids. Find out more about legacy giving, and the Foundation’s “100 for 100 Legacy Challenge”, at islandkidsfirst.com/legacy.
