Obituary of Jean Usaty

Passed away peacefully at Columbia Forest LTC on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the age of 93.

She was the cherished mother of her sons Chris (Nancy) and Ron (Susan); fondly remembered by her grandchildren Connor, Meaghan, Justin, Dana and Colleen; and beloved older sister of Mary (Reg), Bernice (Mitch) and Raymond (Adair).

Predeceased by her loving husband George of 48 years in 2014, and parents John and Hazel (Mazurkiewicz) Bernys.

Jean demonstrated her skills from Secretarial College at the Mennen Company in Toronto. After supporting George through Teacher’s College and starting their family in Bramalea, instead of just summering in Muskoka (Gravenhurst), they moved to Bracebridge in 1973 where they raised their sons in cottage country. Jean spent her time volunteering at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital and the Catholic Women’s League at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Upon retiring, Jean and George enjoyed spending the winters as Snowbirds in Destin, Florida for 25 years. 

In 1997, they relocated to Foxboro Green in Baden to be closer to their future grandchildren.  Jean loved being part of the retirement community and spending time doing aquabics, golfing (with the WAHU group), singing in the choir, attending book club and dining with the Red Hat Society.  She regularly attended St. Agatha Catholic Church, as her faith was very important to her.

Jean moved to the Chartwell Clair Hills Retirement Residence in Waterloo in 2019 and enjoyed many years of making friends, playing bingo and singing along with the regular various entertainers.

She loved spending time with her family and her grandchildren. We will miss her beautiful smile, her warm hugs, her ever-optimistic attitude and her discussion of the latest book she was reading. She enjoyed cooking, baking and crafts – having knitted something for probably every child in her extended family!

Special thanks to the staff at Chartwell Clair Hills, WRHN (Midtown & Chicopee) and Columbia Forest LTC for your compassionate and excellent care of Jean.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Agatha Catholic Church, 1839 Notre Dame Dr., St. Agatha, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Reception to follow at 12:30 PM in the Estate Room at the Charcoal Steakhouse located at 2980 King St. E, Kitchener.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Parkinson’s Canada or the Parkinson’s Society of Southwestern Ontario (PSSO).  Condolences and donations may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.