Norma Evelyn Jean Rogers died peacefully on April 13, 2016. Born on December 31, 1919, she was raised on a wheat farm near the small town of Justice, Manitoba. Growing up in Southern Manitoba shaped her personality and values. At an early age her special talent for piano was identified. Although she completed all stages of the Royal Conservatory Classical Music Program, her special talent was in popular music. By 13 she was playing in a local band, always chaperoned by her father Norman.
She attended normal school at 17 and became a teacher at a small elementary school. In 1940 she met Mac Rogers and they were married on August 2, 1941. Mac’s allergy to ragweed caused Mac and Jean to move into Winnipeg where Jim and Jocelyn were born and Mac’s son, Robert, visited often from Carberry. In 1947 the family moved to Victoria, BC where John and Susan joined the family. In 1953 the family relocated to Kamloops where Mac worked for the City. Cindy joined the family in 1959.
Although Jean had a full workload raising 5 children, she taught piano to hundreds of Kamloops’ children. She also loved to bake and can and her grandchildren always looked forward to her apple pies, cookies and butter pickles. From 1960 to 1976 summers at the cabins on Little Shuswap Lake were a joyous retreat where many family and friends visited.
In 1989 Mac died after 48 years of marriage. Two years later, Jean reconnected with her Brandon Normal School sweetheart, Alec Chandler until his passing in 1993. Jean wrote that one of the biggest surprises in her life was that she had to adapt to living alone for 25 years, but she still found joy in life and in simple pleasures of each day. In 2000 Jean moved to Summerland where she played bridge, shared her gift of music and enjoyed the LaVista community. 
Jean’s faith was strong throughout her entire life and her family always joked that she had a hotline to heaven. In times of need, her advice was often ‘To let go and let God.’ 
In 2012, her health required her to relocate to Westview Extended Care. Although initially reluctant, she came to enjoy the social life and caring community of Westview. Almost to the last she continued to play the piano and could perform and sing hundreds of musical pieces without music or lyrics. Her children were especially touched by the fact that so many of the staff and former staff from Westview came to say goodbye to Mom during her last few days and expressed their love for her. Jean would also want to express the love she felt for the numerous family members and friends she has left behind.
Jean wished to be buried with Mac at Hillside Cemetery in Kamloops and a grave-side service will take place on April 23, at 1:00 p.m. A gathering will take place after the service. However, at Jean’s express wish, a party will be held in celebration of her life on June 11, also in Kamloops. Specific details will follow. Jean requested that there be a celebration with her Australian daughter Jocelyn present, where there will be music, song, dancing and good food, and as she said, with no tears. For those who wish to recognize Jean’s passing, please make a donation to the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (Piano Department), 200 – 138 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 1M6.

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• Date : 2016-04-13
• Location : Penticton, B.C.