Georgina Alexandra "Jean" Knibbs, late of Weyburn passed away peacefully Thursday Novmber 8, 2012, at the age of 99 years. Jean was predeceased by her husband, Percy Knibbs; son-in-law, Herman Fischer; father and mother, Alex and Georgina Skene; her sisters: Evelyn Ekstrom, Marge Arnason, Phyllis West; her brothers: Alex Skene and Johnny Skene. Jean is survived by her daughter, Joyce Fischer, Regina; her son, David (Jean) Knibbs, Weyburn; her grandchildren: Ryan (Marj) Fischer, Regina, Nevin (Linda) Fischer, Regina, Colleen (Russ) Scharnatta, Midale, Carolyn (Justin) Huber, Wilkie, Jeff (Brenda) Knibbs, Okotoks, AB; ten great-grandchildren: Derek Fischer, Michaela Fischer, Tannis, Mitch and Torilee Scharnatta, Tristan, Kyra, Josie Huber, Nathan and Aidan Knibbs; her sister, Peggy Donaldson, Kamloops, BC; sister-in-law, Oliveine Knibbs, Gabriola, BC; brother-in-law, Mel West, Langley, BC along with several nieces and nephews. Georgina Alexandra "Jean" Knibbs (nee Skene) was born June 20, 1913 to Alex and Georgina Skene in Tarland, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was the eldsest of seven and attended school in Scotland until she was 13. In 1926, her family immigrated to Canada sailing on the S.S. Aurania, leaving from Greenock, Scotland to arrive in Montreal six days later. She has shared her memories of her voyage to Canada from the intense sea sickness they all experienced and scarce food, to all their Scottish china being destroyed during the trip. From Montreal they travelled by train to establish their new home one mile southwest of Kuroki. When they arrived at Kuroki the hard work began, starting their new life. She attended school in Kuroki until the age of 15. Being the oldest, she worked hard helping her father clear and farm the land and her mother with cooking and caring for her younger siblings. In 1939, while at a dance in Kuroki she met Percy Knibbs; he had quit farming at Huntoon and was working near Kuroki on a mink farm. In 1939, when Percy moved to Holland, Manitoba to work for a farmer, she followed. On April 10, 1940, Percy and Jean were married in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was on this farm in Holland, Manitoba that their two children were born, Joyce and David. In 1946, Percy went to visit family in Saskatchewan and bought a farm near Huntoon, so back to Saskatchewan they moved. She helped on the farm with milking cows, gardening, preserving food and raising chickens. They had many good times at Huntoon attending hockey games, dances and curling. She loved her life on the farm and she always said that farming was a great and rewarding life. They continued to farm after buying a home in Weyburn in 1971 until they retired and sold their land to their son David in 1978. Jean enjoyed cooking, baking, collecting recipes and spoons, sewing, quilting and knitting. She has given her family her quilts and handiwork as gifts; now to treasure. She loved playing cards, shuffleboard, doing puzzles and word search, walking, gardening and going for coffee with family and friends. She was an active member of the Weyburn Senior Centre, Weyburn Grace United Church, Weyburn Special Care Home Auxiliary and the UCW. She donated much of her time to helping others and serving her community. She lived in her own home until the age of 97, and in October 2010 moved to Hill Top Manor in Weyburn. Jean loved her family deeply and her greatest joy came in spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the Hill Top Manor staff for the wonderful care they provided. A funeral service for Jean was held on Friday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. from Grace United Church, Weyburn with Rev. M. Barnabas, officiating. Interment followed at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn. Honorary pallbearers were all in attendance. Active pallbearers were Ryan Fischer, Russ Scharnatta, Nevin Fischer, Justin Huber, Jeff Knibbs and Mitch Scharnatta. For family and friends so wishing, donations in memory of Jean may be made to Hilltop Manor, 356-6th Ave. SE, Weyburn, SK S4H 3N5 or Grace United Church, 210 3rd Street NE, Weyburn, SK S4H 0W6. Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com "Our family serving your family"
