Jean Chisholm Morrison (née Burns)
September 28, 1934 – July 20, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce that our neighbour, Jean, passed away on July 20, 2021. She was predeceased by her husband Ted and son Geoff. She is survived by her son Allan, granddaughters Grace and Jenna, daughter Susan Tower, sister Margaret and nephews Chris and Kyle.
Jean lived in the Grand Boulevard neighbourhood for over 60 years. After raising her children she took up printmaking, etching on zinc plates, for 20 years at Capilano College. She volunteered at the Ridgeway School library and also with the Grand Boulevard Residents Association.
Jean’s daughter, Susan, also volunteered with the door-to-door delivery of the Grand Boulevard Residents Association Bulletin. Susan lived with and cared for Jean in her final months, while she waited for a bed in the North Shore Hospice on 14th Street. Unfortunately, she died before one became available.
A funeral service and reception was held at Boal Chapel (First Memorial), 1505 Lillooet Road, on August 21. The service was very respectful and Jean’s nephew, Chris, put together a video of old photos, with Jean’s favourite music, which included the Out of Africa soundtrack. Jean was born in India and spent her childhood there.
Jean Morrison
In 1999, Jean was one of 12 North Shore artists chosen for Visions of the North Shore, an arts and heritage millennium project that commemorated and linked 12 historically significant sites, from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove, with interpretive prints. Jean’s work was erected in 2000 on the center path of Grand Boulevard, just south of 15th Street.
Artist’s Statement:
“When you walk along the Boulevard, you feel relaxed and at peace, especially on a nice warm day when you can sit on a bench for a while. When I started working on this print, I was thinking mainly how to capture the continued pathway up the center of the Boulevard. When I saw the elegant 1908 historical plan of Grand Boulevard in the North Vancouver Museum & Archives, I thought that it showed what I wanted to convey – a bird’s eye view of the area. Roots, veined skeleton leaves and bird silhouettes symbolize the natural forms found in the area. Urban density has changed the Boulevard, but thankfully the sense of serenity and grace remains.” – Jean Morrison
Although there is no specific Squamish name for the Grand Boulevard area in the City of North Vancouver, Squamish people traveled through this place to get to xa7lcha, Lynn Creek. In 1907, this area was promoted as North Vancouver’s Champs Élysées and a number of building restrictions were imposed to maintain the residential quality of the area. Boulevard Park, which has been renamed Ray Perrault Park, was the site of many sporting events over the years. From 1907 to 1947, a streetcar linked the area with Lynn Valley, Lower Lonsdale and the ferry terminal. The mile-long boulevard was landscaped a century ago with specimen trees and shrubs.
Grand Boulevard photo etching (enlarged), North Vancouver Community Arts Council
“Winter” Etched Monoprint 01/01
“The Dance of Life” Etching, 1977