Jean Echlin was a pioneer in hospice palliative care. A distinguished public speaker, educator, and free-lance writer, Jean had many roles throughout her illustrious career, including serving as an esteemed Advisor with the deVeber Institute. Along with our Institute’s co-founder, the late Dr. Barrie deVeber, Jean worked on many important initiatives. Barrie and Jean travelled to parliament in Ottawa to advocate for increased funding in palliative care. Barrie’s daughter Eileen recalls, “They said comfort at death is a basic right of humans, if people are comfortable near their end of life, they wouldn’t feel the need for euthanasia. They knew that the main reason people want euthanasia is out of a fear of pain and suffering while dealing with a life threatening illness.” Jean went on to co-author the booklet – Palliative Care Not Euthanasia, as a submission to the Canadian Parliamentary Committee. In 2011, the same committee tasked with examining the issues facing Canadians at the end of their lives, heard from a very broad range of speakers, including Dr. L.L. deVeber and Jean Echlin. Jean was asked by the Chair of the Committee to consult on the final report: Not to be Forgotten: Care of Vulnerable Canadians. Learn more about the report here: www.deveber.org In 2014, during the International Palliative Care Conference in Montreal, our Institute hosted an award ceremony in honour of Jean: The Jean Echlin Award in Ethics In Palliative Care. Jean felt honoured and humbled by the recognition bearing her name and tribute. In 2016, the deVeber Institute hosted its 2nd annual summer symposium “Medical Ethics in an Age of Reproductive Decisions and Medical Aid in Dying” at which Jean Echlin, along with University of Windsor nursing professor Dr. Kathy Pfaff, presented on the consequences of the new law legalizing euthanasia for Canadians. Dr Pfaff fondly remembers travelling to Toronto with Jean to various deVeber events despite having her own challenges and difficulties.
Jean always made time for what mattered:
“I believe that hospice palliative care for every Canadian must be the priority. How dare we ask our doctors and nurses to put patients to death when a safer option exists. I fear that the “true north strong and free” is no longer a democracy if those who help us get cures and stay well are also denied their conscience rights. Please think how you would feel if society (government) stripped you of your rights and freedoms under our Canadian Charter? Would you quietly acquiesce or demand fair treatment? Please consider these thoughts.” ~Jean Echlin
Jean Echlin
Born in 1931, Jean grew up in southwestern Ontario where she went to school to become a registered nurse in 1953. She then pursued a Master of Nursing degree at Wayne State University that earned her a Clinical Nurse Specialist designation, a title and educational path that was uncharted at the time. Jean taught in the University of Windsor’s School of Nursing, and was Director of Nursing at Metropolitan Hospital (now Windsor Regional Hospital – Metropolitan Campus). As the Executive Director, Jean was instrumental in the development of the Hospice of Windsor & Essex County Inc. which is recognized as exemplary in Canada. In 2005, the Ontario Palliative Care Association recognized Jean’s 26 year contribution to hospice palliative care by selecting her for the prestigious “Dorothy Ley Award of Excellence” for her part in “fostering the true spirit of Palliative Care in Ontario.”
Jean passed away peacefully and with dignity on July 16, 2021, at the Hospice of Windsor; she was 89 years old. Special thanks to Dr Kathy Pfaff, Alex Schadenberg, Rita DiBiase, Eileen deVeber and others, from newsletters and other accounts for making this tribute page for Jean possible. Thank you for your words and memories of Jean Echlin.