Jean Ruth Wathen

Jean Ruth Wathen (née McClelland), 85, having lived most of her adult life in Oakville Ontario but more recently moving with family to Hamilton, passed peacefully on October 12th, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

 

Jean was born in Stonehouse, Scotland, just outside of Glasgow, on March 15th, 1940, the eldest child of Jim and Elizabeth McClelland.  She remained close to her sister Sandra throughout her life, but lost her brother Ian to an accident in 1995.

 

After excelling at school, and coming runner up in the Miss Scotland contest at age 17, Jean set her sights on adventure, deciding to move to Canada in her early 20’s, no doubt influenced by her father’s stories of his time jumping train cars and working out west during the Great Depression.  Not long after arriving in the Toronto area, a blind date with a handsome, charming gent led to romance.  Jean married Ron Embert Wathen in 1966, with the couple moving to London Ontario for a stint before settling in Oakville to raise their children, Chris Brent and Heather Elizabeth.

 

Jean’s creativity found expression as a hair stylist, first running her own business out of her basement, and then joining several salons in Oakville.  Her talent was celebrated, with her clients enjoying her personality and candor as much as her haircuts, and her colleagues enjoying her humour and good nature.

 

With her family grown, Jean sought new challenges, first as a gemologist, and then ultimately retraining as a medical secretary.  She worked at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital for many years, earning a reputation for dedication and professionalism while working the busy Emergency and Surgery units.  Even after retirement, still wanting new opportunities, Jean turned to working in a popular Beauty Supply store, making new friends and bringing her mix of humour and no-nonsense charm to everyone who stopped by.

 

Jean loved her family, her gardens, yoga and walking, traveling with her husband, Rod Stewart, Abba, and sharing a glass of wine and laughter with friends.  “The Queen” is missed dearly, and is survived by her son, Chris Brent, daughter Heather Elizabeth, daughter-in-law Joanne Marie Willan, son-in-law Christopher Terrance Dean, and grandchildren Mackenzie James (and wife Ashley), Ryan Christopher (and fiancé Klaudia), and Molly Emma Jean.

 

 

A Celebration Of Life for Jean will be held on June 14th, 2026, 3pm, at:

Royal Botanical Gardens

680 Plains Road West, Burlington

ON Canada. L7T 4H4

www.rbg.ca

 

Come and share stories and laughter as we celebrate Jean’s life.  Guests will have free access to the grounds starting at 2pm, so you are welcome to come a little early and explore all that the RBG has to offer.