Jessie Margaret Kilbride passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the age of 94, at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Sydenham Campus in Wallaceburg.
Beloved mother of Dorothy Letarte (Pierre), Scott Kilbride (Sylke), and Lisa Richardson (Tobin). Cherished grandmother of Tiffany (Peter), Brandon (Mindy), Derek (Lauren), Elyse, Tyler, and Karlyn (Jeremy). Great-grandmother of Mason, Sienna, Parker, Scarlett, and Nathan.
Daughter of the late Hazel Ilene Bennett and Frank O’Neill. She is survived by her sister Dorothy Ledgley.
Jessie was predeceased by her husband, Keith Kilbride. They are together again.
Born in Arthur in 1932, her family later moved to London where Jessie spent her youth. The desire to become a teacher led her to the London Normal School where she earned her teaching qualifications. Jessie devoted her life to teaching, beginning her career in Windsor and then taking on the one-room, Whitebread country school when she married Keith and moved to Wallaceburg. Her career as an elementary school teacher spanned over 35 years, her gentle guidance and steady presence shaped generations of young learners. She will be missed.
A private family funeral will be celebrated at the Haycock-Cavanagh Funeral Home, 409 Nelson Street in Wallaceburg with interment in Riverview Cemetery to follow. If desired, donations in Jessie’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Society and may be left at the funeral home 519-627-3231. Cherished stories and tributes may be left for the family at www.CavanaghFuneralHome.ca.
