Jean Violet Phelan(nee Petipas), December 22, 1938-March 4, 2025 We are so much more than our birth date and death date. Do you see that hyphen, that little line between those two dates? What matters in life is what you do while you live along that little line. This obituary was written with love by Jean’s granddaughter and namesake, Brianna Jean, capturing her Nan’s 86 year old line between two dates. Jean came into this world a force to be reckoned with during a snowstorm on December 22, 1938 and peacefully passed in her sleep on March 4, 2025 as her beloved birds began their day. Born in Markland Cottage Hospital to Peter Petipas Sr. (Dad Paw) and Ella Gosling Petipas(Mom Paw) she was raised in Whitbourne and completed their large Catholic family of 10–brother Manse(Louise), brother Frank, brother Enie, brother Pete(Adelaide), sister Dot, sister Mase, and brother John(Cathy). Growing up Jean loved playing with her family’s animals, her lifelong best friend Sally Tucker Diamond(now reunited in the afterlife), and playing all sports that Whitbourne had to offer. One of her fondest childhood memories is of travelling around Newfoundland with her softball team and becoming Newfoundland’s Provincial Softball Champions. She always held a deep appreciation for her upbringing and the connections that her family made while both of her parents were working with “The Americans”. At a time when the average Newfoundlander was barely surviving, Jean fondly remembers her childhood as a privileged life filled with chocolate, a kitchen where her Mom had buns in the oven, and many pots on the range with good hardy food to share with her large family and anyone who needed it. Jean followed in her mother’s footsteps throughout her life and never hesitated to share everything she had with everyone she loved. This […]