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Jennifer Mann (nee Neave, Thorpe 1st marriage)
Was born to parents Edith and Aubrey Neave , on May 23rd, 1939, in Essex England.
Jennie grew up while England fought the 2nd world war. Her father was a pare trooper in the English airforce returning to his family after the war ended. When Jennie was 10, her parents decided to leave England for a new start in Canada . Making the 5 day ship journey to Montreal. Fate had a large part of Jennie’s life in Canada, as her father was one of the numerous immigrants who were swindled out money with a promise of housing and employment. Standing on the docks of Montreal with no where to go, her father met a man who told of jobs in a Ontario correctional facility. After securing a position the family moved up north to the now abandoned Burwash correctional facility. Burwash was a correctional institution near Sudbury with it’s own fully functioning town. The family lived there for 5 years. When once again the family looked for a change moving down to Newfoundland . Jennie’s father took a position as a Herd’s man on a large farm. Jennie loved the farm and the province and would of stayed for good. But her mother was unhappy so once again the family moved back to Ontario. They settled in Timmons, where Jennie finished high school . After high school Jennie’s decided she would like a career in Nursing. She moved to Toronto to study and eventually work as a nurse at Sick Kids hospital. It was in Toronto at a young people’s Church group where she met Roy Thorpe . They fell in love and married.
After Roy finished teacher’s college and they moved to Port William, where Roy taught at the local high school and Jenny worked at the local clinic.
Eventually the couple moved to Victory Park area in Toronto where they were blessed with two girls, Dawn and Wendy. The young family moved to Scarborough and then up to the small town of Markham, where they happily raised their girls. The couple became involved in the Markham fair as committee members . Jennie’s took a cake decorating course at the local high school where she excelled and started a life long passion.
Unfortunately Roy passed away unexpectedly at the age of only 42.
Jennie was devastated but carried on for her young girls.
She continued to live in Markham for 20 years, volunteering at the Markham fair , and as a Girl Guide leader inspiring her daughters and oldest granddaughter to also become members. Jennie also met her second husband Gerald Mann, through the fair and he encouraged her to fulfil her dream to open a Cake Decorticating store. Jennie’s World of Cakes was born. Jennie’s made over a thousand wedding and birthday cakes and taught countless students the craft.
After Gerry passed away, Jennie made the difficult but happy decision to move closer to her new Grandson. Jennie moved to Cookstown purchasing a large home where at one point 4 generation of her family stayed together. When her children decided to move on Jennie moved to Alcona and then Barrie, eventually settling in the Collier Senior Apartments ,where she was a fixture for 20 years. Jennie worked for ? years at the downtown McDonalds. She was delighted that her grandson Roy now works at the same restaurant . Jennie enjoyed the social life at the Collier Apartments, playing crib and dominoes. She was the local seamstress and baker. Jennie also continued her service to the community by organizing the apartments’ Mitten tree. Every year collecting dozens of pairs of mittens to be donated to those in need. Jennie loved her family and cherished her seven grandchildren. She was always happy to support them in their hobbies and school activities. Jennie also was a proud supporter of Special Olympics and her grandson Sam, a local athlete.
She was also known as a collector of mice’s with over a hundred different figures from friends and family.
Jennie will be sadly missed by those who knew her well, and fondly remembered by all she met.
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