Jessie Ellen Amelon

JESSIE ELLEN AMELON passed away on February 17, 2021 at 94 years of age in Palm Desert, California. Jessie Ellen Wall was born to George "Clifton" Wall and Ellen "Nellie" Goodrich Wall, on January 11, 1927 in Cartwright, Manitoba, Canada. Along with her parents, Jessie is predeceased by and will have a glorious reunion with her Beloved husband of 64 years, Dr Maynard Amelon, loving sister, Margaret, her brother Harvey, infant grandson Adam Huddy, her nephew John Charles Cadwell, niece Adrienne Ptacek, and son-in-law John Moore.
Her family farmed a section of land in the Chesterville District. She milked cows, drove horses, and loved her animals. When not farming, her father fiddled for the community and needed someone to accompany him on the piano. Jessie, age 5, began doing that for him before her fingers could reach an entire octave. They performed all the community dances., which were held at Chesterville School, She loved looking to her Dad to see when to conclude a tune. She would go on to play any tune by ear. She engaged in many sporting activities, including curling and softball, while learning to love hockey. Jessie excelled in academics and went on to graduate from Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1948. In 2018, she was able to celebrate her 70th reunion with her classmates. She was very proud of her Cartwright roots, spoke so fondly of her memories there, and a trip to her rural hometown was included in every trip back to Winnipeg, making sure her children knew where she grew up. .
After becoming a Supervisor and surgical nurse, she was summoned by friends of hers who had moved to Windsor, Ontario and who were associated with her favorite sports team, the Detroit Red Wings. She even once had champagne from the Stanley Cup, celebrating their win. An adventurer, she took that leap and those friends, The Creamers, the Skinners, Terry Sauchuk along with Jack Adams, introduced her to the team hospital, Detroit Osteopathic Hospital, where she was sought after for her skill in the OR. There, she met the love of her life, Dr Maynard J Amelon, DO. They made a life together for nearly 64 years. They had 5 daughters—Cynthia, Deborah, Peggy Sue, Mitzi and Kandi. They belonged to the Detroit Golf Club, where Jessie made sure that all the girls would learn how to swim. They belonged to the Detroit Skating Club, where all the daughters AND Jessie and Maynard learned to figure skate. She ran the local Jessie shuttle between 3 different schools and the ice rink, expanding to extensive travels across the country. Armed with maps and a AAA trip tic, Jessie showed no hesitation in taking the girls to all Midwestern states, Arizona, Colorado, Sun Valley ID, Lake Placid NY. , and into the countries of Mexico and Canada. She was voted favorite "skating mom", both at DSC and in Colorado. She was a talented seamstress and made all their skating outfits. They belonged to the Huron River Hunting and Fishing Club, where they entertained friends and held many fundraising events.
After first making their home in Detroit, they took on the challenge of building both their dream home in Southfield and dream clinic in Redford Township. Jessie was Maynard's anchor as he practiced medicine for 47 years. She was the President of the DOH Auxiliary when she spearheaded a fundraising drive that produced the funds for the charter to establish an Osteopathic College of Medicine in Michigan. She and Maynard were hosts to more than a dozen galas that would allow Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine to take root and grow beyond its mission to serve Michigan and into the global presence it has today. Thousands of physicians have graduated from MSUCOM and have provided healthcare to all the United States and all continents of the world.
Jessie and Maynard made their way to their new home in Palm Desert, California where they continued to make new friends and enjoy new activities, including Tai Chi. She continued her love for entertaining, showing her beloved Irish heritage with an 80th Irish-themed Birthday party, attended by all their friends, new and old, and family. Maynard and Jessie would go on to enjoy family and friends from across the US and Canada for their combined 60th Wedding Anniversary and Maynard's 90th Birthday in August 2012.
Jessie had a great love of and devotion to animals. She adored childhood dog, Spike, King, Lady, Sis, Sugar, Puff, Blondie, Webster, and Bambi. She nursed wounded birds, ducks and raccoons back to health. She was on every animal charity donation list--and she obliged without hesitation.
Jessie is survived by her loving daughters, Cynthia, Deborah, Peggy Sue, Mitzi, Kandi; sons-in-laws Robert Huddy, Christopher Pawloski; six grandchildren, Addison Huddy (Gabrielle Goodwin), Shannon Pawloski, Walker Huddy, Devon Pawloski (Tyler Frankum), Lindsey and Luke Sawyer; nieces and nephews, Rick, Joe, Warren, Sharon, Stan, and Ralph; and beloved cousins.
A Beautiful Celebration of Life, attended by loving family and friends, took place at Forest Lawn-Cathedral City, CA on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to support the Dr Maynard and Mrs. Jessie Amelon Scholarship Fund, sent to MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Fee Hall, 965 Fee Hall Road A310 East Lansing, Michigan 48824, with checks made out to Michigan State University AS00454, with memo line to include MOCF Endowment. Or donate to your favorite animal charity.