Lillian Mary ‘Jean” Girdler (nee Sacerty)

Lillian Mary “Jean” Girdler, at the age of 97, previously of Toronto and Owen Sound, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2026, surrounded by family at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ontario.

Predeceased by her husband, Orville Girdler of Toronto, parents Clark and Barbara Sacerty of Owen Sound, brothers David Sacerty of Owen Sound and Robert “Bob” Sacerty of Sarnia.

Jean will be missed by her children, Leslie (Donna), Darlene (late Russell) and Douglas (Lynn).  Grandchildren Doug, Derek, Shayne, Erin, Adam, Bobbie, Kellie and Kevin.  Great-grandchildren Alexander, Lillian, Nicholas, Colson, Sydney, Emilie, Noah, Isaac, Cole, Korie, Mya and Spencer.  Great-great-grandchildren Quacey and Finnley.

Jean was born, January 26, 1929, in Hepworth, Ontario, to Clark Sacerty and Barbara Sacerty (nee Greig), born premature she survived in a tea cozy, behind the woodstove and against all odds she lived a long life.  She grew up and attended school in Owen Sound, where she eventually met her husband, Orville Girdler and married January 26, 1952.  They resided in Toronto, where they raised their three children.  After the death of her husband in 1994, Jean remained in Toronto until 2022, when she moved to Barrie.

While growing up in Owen Sound, Jean enjoyed volunteering as a Sunday School teacher, once she married and moved to Toronto, she worked a variety of jobs to help support her family until her retirement from CCL Industries. After she retired, she volunteered as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary with Branch 73 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Toronto.

She was affectionately referred to as “Jeanie” by her friends and others she met along the way.  Jean never turned down an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, nor did she turn down an invitation to play cards. Just when you thought you had won the crib game, you were likely to hear her say…”and one for the jack!”  She also enjoyed playing in dart leagues and euchre tournaments.  And much to the surprise of her grandchildren, they learned that she had been a wrestling fan, and particularly a fan of “Killer Kowalski”.  At one wrestling match she even caught his t-shirt when he threw it out into the crowd, she kept that souvenir!

Through the years Jean enjoyed travelling with family and friends. She had fond memories of a trips to the Bahamas, Georgia, West Coast and East Coast of Canada.

A special thank you to the Doctors and Nursing staff at RVH Cancer Palliative Care, for their gentle and compassionate care during her last days. Also, thank you to all the wonderful people at Home Care Ontario (Barrie), St. Elizabeth Health Care (Barrie), Independent Living Services Simcoe County, Chartwell Whispering Pines (Barrie) and other individuals who helped Jean stay active and live independently for as long as possible.

Memorial donations to the charity of your choice.