Obituary of Jacklyn Lye

At age 94, Jacklyn Marshall Lye passed away peacefully on July 13 with the same courage and strength that she possessed throughout her life, her children at her bedside. Jonni was born and raised in Toronto and spent much of her childhood on Ward’s Island, where she met the boy who was to become the love of her life. She and Les Lye wed in 1949 and spent the rest of their married life in Ottawa. They started their family right away, first with Daralyn, then Brett, Jennifer and Emily (William). Through the years the family grew to include nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Jonni was a multi-talented individual, a woman ahead of her time. A pianist and a dancer, she kept herself busy as a young mother and then as a real estate agent and tireless volunteer. She was the Founding President of The Ottawa Chapter of The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. An avid reader, bridge player and crossword puzzler, she loved games and reigned supreme at charades and Password. She continued to enjoy many of these activities in her nursing home, until her advancing blindness made many things too difficult. But right to the end, she had her beloved Toronto Blue Jays on her TV, cheering them on.

Relatives and friends are welcome to join us at Jonni’s celebration of life on Monday, July 18th from 4:00-6:00 at Pinecrest Remembrance Services, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa. Tributes to her will be spoken at 5 pm, and anyone is welcome to speak. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.