Jean Sheriff (née Quayle)
January 7, 2026
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Jean Sheriff (née Quayle) at University Hospital, London on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, where she peacefully basked in the love of her family to the end.
Jean was a devoted wife to Wilfred (Wilf) for 70 years, the cherished mother of David (Debbie), Michael (Bobbie Jo) and Andrew (Rebecca), and the adored Nana of grandchildren Jenna (Nick), Scott, Christine (Ozzy), Asia-Lee, Dylan and Connor, and great-grandchildren Logan, Hudson and Kai. She was the beloved sister of late brother Dennis (Jean), late sister Lilian (Eric), and dear sister Pauline (Maurice). She will also be lovingly missed by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as by close friends, whom she cherished.
Jean was born in Sunderland, England in 1934 to the late John Nixon Quayle and the late Elizabeth Jane Quayle (née Thompson). In her youth, she was a talented netball player, a roving hosteler/backpacker, and enjoyed exploring the English countryside at a breakneck pace on Wilf’s Ariel Red Hunter motorcycle.
Jean and Wilf emigrated to Canada in October 1968 with young sons David and Michael, making the voyage across the Atlantic on board the Empress of England. The family settled in London, Ontario and was soon joined by Andrew, who arrived by other means of transportation.
In London, Jean worked as an Executive Secretary for the Ontario Ministry of Housing, aptly juggling the demands of several managers, and retired in 1995. Throughout her life, she was an avid gardener, a voracious reader, and loved spending time with family. Both a gentle soul and a feisty defender of the underdog, Jean was quick to laugh and ready to help. Her kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.
The family would like to give special thanks to the wonderful staff at University Hospital and the at-home VON and Paramed staff who provided Jean with exceptional care during her final months.
Jean will be interred at Woodland Cemetery on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Those wishing to donate in her memory are asked to consider the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners.
You’ll be forever in our hearts, Jean/Mum/Nana. We love you! From all your cherubs.
Leave a tribute for Jean Sheriff (née Quayle)
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Jean was a beloved friend for over 75 years always had a smile a caring and giving soul, her parents took me under their wing when I was a teenager so I felt more sister than friend. We will meet again Jean and I love you Edna, I hope Alan had welcomed you with open arms
Sincere condolences to you Dave and Debbie and families. So sorry for your loss.
Jean, my dearest friend of over 45 years, I will miss you so much. We were kindred spirits from our first day of working together at the Ministry of Housing. Never have I laughed until I cried nearly every day. Your sense of humour made work such a fun place to be. You were the kindest and most generous soul I've ever known. Your empathy and willingness to just listen and be there in good times and bad make me feel so blessed to have known you. You truly were one of a kind. Our birthday and Christmas dinners with close friends over the decades went on for hours until the restaurant staff started turning off the lights as a hint that they were closing. All the laughter and gabbing made the time fly by, and we were always astonished that we'd been there for that long. My deepest condolences to Jean's family. I know you'll miss her terribly. It's hard to imagine the world without her in it. She's left so many wonderful memories.
A donation has been made to Alzheimer. Message from the donator: Thinking if you all
Services for Jean Sheriff (née Quayle)
Interment will be held at:
Woodland Cemetery
493 Springbank Drive
London, Ontario
January 10, 2026 10:30 am
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My deepest condolences to the Sheriff family I enjoyed worked with Jean for several years at the Ministry of Housing Enjoyed Jean’s sense of humour, work related assistance, and kindness. Ted Beernink
~ Ted Beernink