Jean (Georgina) Cloakley

At 9:55 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2023, heaven opened up, while the clouds ushered Jean in.

 

Jean ended her long three-and-a-half-year battle with cancer peacefully with her loving family by her side in her home in Kincardine.

 

Jean was 64 years old and was born in Goderich. She is the daughter of the late George and Eleanor Mason.

 

Jean has always lived within a 50-kilometre radius of Kincardine, which is where she and her husband Paul Cloakey made their home.

 

Not only was Jean a hairdresser, but she owned the Hair Loft from 1998 until her diagnosis of terminal cancer in 2020. Jean has made many friends over the years - that’s what Jean loved about her career. It wasn’t a job, but an opportunity to meet friends every hour in her shop. She loved every minute of it. In fact, that is where many would come to receive not only a hairdo, but were welcomed with a free cup of java and an opportunity to offload their concerns or problems. 

 

Jean didn’t have her certificate in psychology, but she soon grasped how to help… and that was just to give people her ears while she worked away.

 

Jean was a very passionate gardener. She spent many hours in her garden and it shows. She was one of the largest Toronto Maple Leafs fans the team could ever wish for… and it still hasn’t helped. This season maybe?

 

Jean exemplified true friendship. Her front door was always open… you could stop in anytime of the day or evening. She would offer you refreshments, followed by, “Do you want a game of [whatever game was her favourite that week]?” She was full of life and laughter.

 

Jean is survived by her husband, the love of her life, Alex (Fred) Cloakey, who was also her Yahtzee competitor. In fact, they were trying for the world record in games. They had played over 3,000 games since the beginning of her battle of cancer. She had every game recorded.

 

Jean also leaves behind her loving children: Jonathan Cloakey and his partner Meaghan (Guelph), Pamela, wife of Joe Buonaiuto (Hamilton), and extended family of Alex Cloakey and their cat Pedro.

 

Jean adored her grandchildren Shaymus and Everett, the children of Jonathan and Angela.

 

Jean was one of nine children and leaves behind Archie Mason (Goderich), Wally Mason (Kincardine). Betty Currie and Jim Hastie (Tiny Beaches), Laverne and Dave Jamieson (Seaforth), Chuck Mason (Sarnia), Tammy and Bud Wiser (Brussels), MaryLou and George Befurt (Kitchener) and Perry and Carrie Mason (Listowel). 

 

Jean also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, close friends and her special customers.

 

Anybody who was fortunate enough to know and be loved by Jean has learned so much from this little warrior. Life had not been easy for Jean, however, she was the happiest soul on this planet in spite of her challenges.

 

We will always be looking for signs from her… whether it be a special flower, bird, a special song, nudge or just having fun. We know she will be watching over us.

 

Jean’s favourite saying to us all was, “Don’t sweat the petty stuff… and don’t pet the sweaty stuff!”

 

We will be hosting a celebration of her life once her garden is back in full bloom in June of 2024.

 

In lieu of flowers, Jean has requested that everyone either volunteer, make many good deeds or support a charity.

 

Our thanks go out to everyone who helped her and her family through this final chapter of life’s journey. A special thanks goes out to Dr. Murray, Nurse Katrina, her end-of-life Doula Cheryl and everyone else who was instrumental in fighting her battle.