JACQUELINE AZAR

May 4, 2023

Jacqueline Edla Azar (nee Maukonen)

January 29, 1932 - May 4, 2023

 With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our mom, Jacqueline (Jackie) Edla (Maukonen) Azar in Vancouver, BC in her 91st year. Greatly loved and already missed by her “kids”, Linda, Carolyn, and Heather (Richie). Jackie was predeceased by her younger brother, Robert, her parents, Niilo (Neil) and Georgina (Robinson) Maukonen, and her older brother, Neil Sr, and survived by her ex husband, Donald, her sister Catherine Philp (Guy) as well as her niece and nephews, and their children.

Born and raised in Toronto, ON, Mom was very proud of her Finnish heritage and had a passion for genealogy, tracing her family tree back to the 1500’s. The majority of Mom's career was spent in the field of education. She worked for Salada Foods then went to work for the North York Board of Education. In 1990, Mom went to Vancouver for a visit and loved it so much she decided to move to the West Coast a year later and never looked back. She worked at BCIT for 10 years and then attained a fantastic position as Secretary to the Headmaster at West Point Grey Academy where she stayed until she finally retired at 74.

In addition to her love for her daughters, Mom loved her sweet dogs Rocky and then Ben, and was just talking about them the day before she passed. She loved looking out at and being on the water, spending time at the cottage and driving the ski boat back in the day, and had a love for the Sunday car races with her pancake breakfast, and of course the Canucks. Mom always asked for ketchup for her steak whenever dad took her out for a fancy dinner (much to his chagrin) and was up for just about any adventure. Mom had a deep love of a variety of music and for going out dancing, especially to the sounds of ABBA, one of her favourites, as well as the clubs with live bands playing Sabbath and Metallica. 

All three of us were of great comfort to her in the last few years and are grateful we could spend as much time with her as we did.

We are eternally grateful for all the staff at Royal Arch Masonic Home for looking after our mom for the last three years and especially her favourite nurse, Jeremy. He made a special effort to sit and talk to her, asking her for dating advice, which she loved.

Mom will be cremated and return to Toronto to be interred at York Cemetery alongside her parents and her brother Robert at some point in the future. There will be no service at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations to Royal Arch Masonic Home or BCSPCA in her name would be greatly appreciated.

Mom, we love you. 

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