Jeannette Aulda Udell-Foster
Posted Apr 10, 2022 | 11:03 AM
UDELL-FOSTER, JEANNETTE AULDA
April 3, 1937 – April 6, 2022
A bright spark left our world when Jeannette Udell – Foster died on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at the Meaford Hospital. She was surrounded by family who loved her and cards marking her 85th birthday.
Life of the party, astute business woman, caring sister, aunt, friend – all describe her. Most of all she was just plain fun to be around, lighting up a room with her smile and her ready laugh. Jeannette made everyone feel special – young and old alike. She lived a full life, accomplished much and made life-long friends everywhere she lived.
She will be terribly missed by sister Audrey Watson (Dave Vaughn) and brother Ellwood Falls (late Gwen), predeceased by sister Mylrea Gilchrist (late Hugh). She will be remembered as the best aunt ever to nieces Sharon Falls (late Bing Mark), Rhonda Bott (Dale), Jeannette Platt (Tom), Susan Macdonald (Colin), Nancy Hall (Brian) and nephew Grant Gilchrist (Neisha) plus many great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by nephew and niece Robert and Leslie Watson.
Remembered fondly by the Foster family: Terry, Wayne and Larry (Brenda) Foster, Sharon Dinsmore (Colin) and was a loving step-grandma to their children. Among her many friends who will miss her, Karol, Ina, Wendy, Joan and Shirley will be remembered for helping her so much in recent months.
Jeannette was predeceased by two husbands, Jack Udell and Jim Foster. She was married to Jack for almost 40 years and had a life with Jim for 15 years.
Born in Rocklyn, Jeannette was the beloved youngest daughter of Stewart and Aulda (nee Kenny) Falls. Music was in her soul from an early age. Her mother taught piano but didn’t have time to teach Jeanette – that didn’t matter. She was a natural talent. Gatherings of family and friends at the Falls farm always ended up around the piano as Jeannette played and sang the old standards into the night.
Her early life with Jack was exciting and her energy seemed boundless. They entertained often and always had all the fun toys – a cottage, sporty cars, fast boats, snow mobiles from when they first were available.
She played hard but worked harder. She was a skilled hairdresser – but the core of her being and her success – was as a people person. She went the extra mile for her staff and customers, so many of whom became fast friends. She owned highly successful hairdressing businesses in Oakville and Meaford and, in between, built a very busy marina operation on Go Home Lake with Jack. All meant very long hours, particularly the marina.
They were burnt out after seven years at the marina so decided to semi-retire and make a home in Meaford. They built a house, planted a few apple trees and Jeannette worked for other hairdressers. The parties and special celebrations at that house were legendary. But before long, their ‘retirement’ seemed dull and Fort McMurray beckoned. Jeannette loved the wild west atmosphere and excitement of the frontier town in the early days of tar sands development.
After a few years, they returned to Meaford where she eventually bought the Golden Comb. Pretty soon it seemed everyone in town was coming through those doors. Former employees praise her as a great and generous boss who made work a pleasure. Jeannette’s shop was a place where people came to have their hair done but kept coming back for the fun… and maybe a little gossip.
She also made time for the community – appearing in numerous plays at the Rocklyn Hall or playing the kazoo in the Scarecrow parade.
Jeannette started to laugh again once she started to see Jim. Over the years, their life was filled with dancing at local halls, curling in spiels all over Ontario, playing cards for hours, visits with family and friends and taking long driving trips (who drives to Alaska!). Jeannette opened her life and her heart to Jim’s family and they returned the affection.
She lived large and loved well, bringing fun and joy to so many, particularly her family. She never wanted to slow down even when health issues meant she should. She could be frustratingly stubborn about that. She will be missed and remembered as larger than life by so many.
Her family thanks the staff, nurses and doctors who cared for her and made her last days comfortable at the Meaford Hospital.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Jeannette’s Life will be held at a later date.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford Hospital Foundation, Diabetes Canada or a charity of your choice would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca.
- First Name : Jeannette
- Last Name : Udell-Foster
- Funeral Home : Ferguson Funeral Home, Meaford
