Jeannine Marie Cochrane

In Loving Memory

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jeannine Marie Cochrane  on April 1, 2026.  Jeannine died peacefully in the early morning hours at her home and among family in her 93rd year.

Jeannine was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, in 1933 to Ernest Picot and Blanche Lebel. She was predeceased by her soul mate William (Bill) Cochrane, and siblings Patricia Gillis and Jules Picot. She is survived by her sister Claudette Picot and sister in law Carol Picot. She leaves behind her three children, Louise (Michael Stewart), David and Claire Cochrane (Steve Evans) and grandchildren, Jamie and Erin Evans, and Caroline and Natalie Cochrane. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews with whom she loved spending time.

Jeannine started her 40 year career in teaching in 1951 (at only 17 years of age) in eastern Canada and then went on to upgrade her certificate at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia in 1956. With an exceptional voice she had a lead singing role in the university play of Finnian’s Rainbow. At this time fate stepped in and she met her future husband-to-be William Cochrane.  When Bill got a job as a geologist in Saskatchewan they decided to marry. The only housing they could find at the time was renovated army barracks.  Soon after three children followed and a move to London Ontario, Jeannine taught to support the family while Bill pursued his MBA. Their journey eventually took them through Toronto and Montreal before they settled into their family home in Mississauga, where they remained for 45 years.  StFX had changed their lives forever and as a tribute they donated to fund the Bill and Jeannine Cochrane classroom in the university’s business school. 

Jeannine had a passion for family, education and reading. She finished her undergrad degree in 1983 at U of T while raising three teenagers and working full time. She went on to get her Masters of  Education in 1987. She was very dedicated to her students and really enjoyed helping students with Special Needs in the latter part of her career. 

The family tradition every summer was to visit Bathurst New Brunswick and the eastern provinces to be with extended family, camping, cottaging, golfing, and the beach. These are our strongest memories.  These trips always included a visit to Gowan Brae Golf Club, where a tree next to the first tee stands as a dedicated memorial to her father, Ernest.  In our teenage years mom and dad took us skiing in Stowe Vermont. Mom had a healthy fear of chairlifts which dad patiently helped her overcome. In later years she truly loved spending afternoons by the pool with her kids and granddaughters.  She took up golf so she could spend more time with her beloved Bill at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club, becoming a solid golfer. She and Bill also were able to enjoy Florida trips in the winter and travel tours in the summer with close friends.

When she retired in 1991, she joined the retired teachers group where they went on many outings together. She spoke often about her book club and how much fun they had together going to Niagara on the Lake every year.  

Jeannine was known for her kindness, patience and encouragement. She will be sadly missed by all those who she touched in her life.

Special thanks go to her devoted care givers Faye and Joy, Dr. Findlay, the team at Ontario Health at Home Integrative Palliative Care team, Hospice Mississauga and the healthcare team from Spectrum Health Care.

A celebration of life will be held at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club on May 17th at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers feel free to make a donation to the Red Cross in Jeannine's memory.