Mrs Jacqueline Ross Obituary

Jacqueline Joan Ross (nee Beaudoin), a beloved mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, friend, and lifelong Montrealer, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at the age of 93. Jackie's journey through life was marked by vibrant curiosity as she embraced every opportunity to explore and learn. Predeceased by her devoted husband, Ian, who loved her madly, she leaves behind a legacy of fun, intelligence, and a spirit that never stopped seeking.
 

Born in 1931 to Leopold Joseph Beaudoin and Eliza May Squires, Jackie grew up in Outremont and attended Trafalgar School. She then attended McGill University, where she met Ian during their time with the Red and White Review.
 

In her forties, Jackie returned to school and earned the first ever MA in Art History at McGill. She then served as Curator of Costume and Textiles at the McCord Museum from 1978 to 1998. She was widely recognized for her prolific research, publications, and exhibitions — in particular Form and Fashion, a highlight of the Museum's reopening in 1992. She found great satisfaction in preserving the past for generations to come.
 

Jackie's summer pilgrimages to the Kennebunks with her family were sacred, and she considered them the highlight of her year. She rarely missed a summer enjoying beach days, lobster dinners, and tennis matches. After retirement, her adventurous spirit took her to every continent, which allowed her to explore new cultures and relish the thrill of the unknown well into her 80s.
 

Jackie's life was defined by a deep engagement with the world and the people she loved, who remember a woman whose charisma, intelligence, and adventurous spirit profoundly shaped their lives.
 

Jackie is survived by her sister Carolee Gilbert (Richard Gilbert), her son Ian (Cathy Pitfield), daughter Heather (John Hall), and grandchildren Felicia Ross, William Ross (Victoria Papalian), Isabelle Hall, and Caroline Hall, as well as her great-grandson, George Ross. She is remembered fondly by family members, friends, and by her wonderful caretakers at Place Kensington, who cared for Jackie in her final years and whom she loved dearly.

A private family service was held to celebrate her life and legacy. Donations to honour her memory can be made to the McCord Museum using the following link: https://www.musee-mccord-stewart.ca/en/give-and-join/make-a-donation/donation-in-memoriam-honour/
 

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