Obituary of Jennifer Leslie Dickson
It is with great sadness and deep love that we announce the passing of Jennifer Leslie Dickson on Tuesday October 21, 2025. She was 80 years old.
Jennifer was the proud and devoted mother of Christina Matthews (Steve Hanna), Matthew Dickson, Tamara Woods (Steve Dowdall) and Elizabeth Matthews (Tate Arbon). Grandmother of Isaac and Oliver Matthews-Hanna, Caleb Dickson and Benjamin Dickson-Schilling, Elijah and Aiden Woods and Violet Arbon. Jennifer was predeceased by her parents, Rosaleen Diana (Leslie) and David Rutherford Dickson, her biological father, Douglas Rattray of Dumfries Scotland, and her former spouses Peter Cotton and John Matthews. She is survived by all five siblings, David Ross (Diana Bracegirdle), Elizabeth, Marjorie (Peter Bayfield), Charles Rutherford (Erica Phipps), Andrew Moir (Karen Williamson), 14 nieces and nephews, and 15 grand nieces and nephews. Her family meant the world to her and her grandchildren gave her tremendous joy.
Born January 17th, 1945 in New York city. One of Jennifer's earliest passions carried throughout her life was music. From a very early age she started singing trios with her sisters, performing in public spaces in the community. Her clear and beautiful voice landed her an early gig with Mac Beattie and his Ottawa Valley Melodiers. Jennifer sang with her High school, Glebe Collegiate Lyre’s Club, and several choirs over her lifetime including many years singing with The Women of the Tay in Perth, Ontario. Jennifer was a humanitarian, and fiercely proud Canadian. An environmentalist and politically engaged, she believed in taking action and being the change you wish to see in the world. She was deliberate, strong and determined. She believed we have a responsibility to our planet and the next generation. She accompanied her father in a convoy to the White House in 1971 to deliver a letter to President Nixon urging him to cancel the planned testing of an atomic bomb in Amchitka.
Her work, driven by her desire to make a positive impact on the issues dear to her heart, led her down many paths. She was the Executive Director for Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, the national voice of Canadian Inuit Women. The Executive Director at the Troubadour Institute, working at addressing the critical issues facing the world’s children today. Executive Director at Counterpart Canada, committed to working towards a world that is more peaceful, sustainable, just and inclusive. Executive Director of the Canadian Unitarian Council, a faith based organization striving for social, environmental, justice and public policy. These were but a few of her tremendous efforts.
Jennifer had a strong commitment to community service, serving on many boards including more recently The Perth and District Library board, Community Alliance for Refugee Resettlement (CARR), also proudly serving as an elected official in her home community as councillor for Tay Valley Township. Her service on the Friends of the Tay Watershed, exhibited her commitment to the protection of our beautiful planet.
Jennifer moved homes often and had the ability to make any place feel like home within weeks, full of comfort, art, music and crystals in every window. She had a passion for renovation, restoration and design. Her renovations of the early 19th century Allans Mill just outside of Perth, and designing a progressive new home built with passive solar design at “The Pond” in Glen Tay were both fine examples of her creativity and vision.
Her final days were spent at the Great War Memorial Hospital palliative care floor in Perth, surrounded by family, friends, music and singing, love and laughter, and sunshine through the windows, just as she had envisioned. We are grateful to the nursing staff and all their support in helping us gather in this way, in this beautiful room.
One of her favourite quotes that she would love to be remembered by, from John Lennon, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one”.
Those who knew Jennifer and her family are welcomed to join together in a celebration of her life on Saturday, November 8th, 2025 at Codes Mill, 17 Wilson St E, Perth from 1-4PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jennifer would be appreciated to the Tay Watershed, Climate Network Lanark or to Doctors without Borders
Arrangements are in the care of Blair & Son Funeral Home, Perth.
