Wilson, Jan
Wilson, Jan (Jane)
August 18,1956 - December 27, 2025Jan Wilson passed away suddenly at Juravinsky Hospital on Saturday, December 27th, 2025 at the age of 69. While courageously facing a challenging course of cancer treatment, Jan sadly passed away following a fall that resulted in a brain injury. Jan was born in Johnston, Scotland on August 18th, 1956 and is predeceased by her parents Mary and John Wilson, and her brother.
Jan is lovingly remembered by her daughter Kathleen, her son Matthew and will be dearly missed by her second husband, Terry Marck. She will also be deeply remembered by her long-time close friend Lori Reid and her beloved friend Libby. A lifelong lover of dogs, she is lovingly remembered by her devoted companions, who brought her endless joy and comfort. Remembered fondly by all those in the quilting and knitting circles around Hamilton. Jan will be dearly missed by all those who knew her.
Jan was a Registered Nurse with forty plus years experience specializing in Mental Health. She was kind, caring, and compassionate, and practiced with the utmost level of professionalism earning her the respect of her colleagues and clients. Jan was a fierce advocate for her patients, treating each person with dignity and respect.
Jan was an artist in many forms, bringing beauty to life through painting, drawing, music, and the careful crafts of knitting and quilting. Her passion for the arts began at a young age, and she proudly honoured her Scottish heritage through Highland dancing. Music was an important part of her early childhood, which sparked her involvement with local choirs and barbershop music in her later years. She had always been an incredible seamstress and transferred her sewing skills to knitting and quilting. Jan loved going to quilting workshops and working alongside members of the Hamilton Quilting Guild. Jan loved gardening and often found inspiration in the natural world for her art. Those who knew Jan will forever remember her for her beautiful garden and landscaping with budding rose bushes and lush hydrangeas. This past year, Jan won a Trillium Award for her garden.
Prior to her fall, Jan spent time with her two beloved children, Kathleen and Matthew, who were home for the holidays. Jan was able to celebrate her daughter’s recent engagement and ventured wedding dress shopping with her, where “the one” may have been found. Jan and her children celebrated being together with a lovely Christmas Eve meal followed by a classic Christmas film, a perfect holiday evening with the family, where Jan felt she could finally relax albeit the difficulties and strain her treatment had taken on her. Though her passing came suddenly and in an unexpected turn amid her cancer journey, she was surrounded by love, with her children and loved ones close beside her.
Jan was a remarkable mother who raised her children to be independent, curious, and passionate. If you knew Jan, albeit her impressive career and various other achievements, she was most proud of her children and relished the chance to share stories and talk about them to anyone–they were her light. She faced life’s challenges with unwavering courage and a stubborn determination, never allowing obstacles, including her battle with cancer, to dim her spirit. A woman of many talents, her laughter, wisdom, passion and her fierce love will be remembered by all who knew her, and she will be cherished forever in the hearts of those she loved most—her family.
Jan’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the emergency staff and nurses at Jurvinsky Hospital for the exceptional care, compassion and sensitivity shown during Jan’s final moments. Special thanks to all the staff at Jurvinsky Cancer Center who showed great care and compassion while supporting Jan through her treatment. Much gratitude and thanks to Dr. Erikson for such kindness, support and guidance-particularly in the last several months supporting Jan with the best possible options for treatment to extend her prognosis and honour her wishes of spending more time with her beloved children.
Jan’s family and friends are remembering her as “a fabulous lady, an intelligent and driven woman, an incredible mother with a ferociously deep love for her children, a real firecracker, a compassionate and caring soul, an extraordinary nurse, a lady who loved conversation and connecting with everyone around her and a woman of remarkable strength and resilience”.
As per Jan’s wish there will be no funeral service. Think of Jan when you are considering taking a risk on yourself or trying something new. She would always tell her children “don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t and can do.” So when in doubt, don’t let fear or someone else stop you from doing what you love–at any age.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the cancer assist program, Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
