Jean C. Culver Rothberg

April 23rd, 2016. She was born in Carlinville, Illinois, March 18,1919, and was pre-

deceased by her parents, Nellie and Claude Culver of Canton. Jean’s favorite aunt was

Lucy Ash, Nellie’s sister. Jean attended high school in Canton , and went on to graduate

from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.

On December 26, 1941, Jean married Samuel Rothberg in a private ceremony in Peoria,

and the newlyweds subsequently honeymooned in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Jean lived a

very full life, which included raising four children. In addition to being a mother, she had

numerous passionate interests. During the early years of her marriage to Sam, the couple

enjoyed horseback riding together. An accomplished piano player, Jean

founded the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, served as its board president, and played violin

in the orchestra. She was a volunteer assistant nurse’s aid at St. Francis

Hospital , volunteered for the Red Cross bloodmobile, and was also a member of the

local chapter of Hadassah Hospital of Jerusalem. Everyone who knew Jean was aware of

her lifelong sympathy for the plight of the NativeAmericans. She loved her dogs Penny,

Coco and Misty , and was a supporter of “Guide Dogs for the Blind”. She was also

sympathetic to the status of the gray wolf, an endangered species.

In the late 1940s Jean and Sam travelled to the newly established State of Israel. This

was the beginning of a life-long dedication to that country, which she went on to

visit dozens of times. The couple were major financial supporters of the fledgling

state. Recently, the Jean Rothberg Dormitory was built at the Rothberg International

School in Jerusalem. The couple also enjoyed many visits to Ireland over the years. In

Peoria, Jean was a supporter of Bradley University.

.Much later in her life, Jean was captivated by the subject of her own ancestry.

She was able to trace her lineage to the original 13 colonies. This knowledge resulted in

her membership in the D.A.R., the Colonial Dames and the Wellcome Society of

Pennsylvania. In addition, she was a life-long member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Jean will be remembered for her enthusiasm for life, her sense of humor and her overall

strong-willed resilience.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Sam, who died in 2007. She is survived by

her four loving children: Michael Rothberg (Kathryn Amy), Mill Valley, California;

Patrick Rothberg, Chillicothe; Kathleen Rothberg Barnett (Brian), Wilmette; and Heidi

Rothberg, Colorado. Also surviving are five adoring granddaughters: Rebecca Rothberg

Huddleston, San Francisco; Amanda Barnett Jacover (Aric), Evanston; Nina

Rothberg Bailey(Kent), Los Angeles; Lucy Barnett (Francisco Leyton) Skokie; and Katie

Barnett (Akiva Rubin), Philadelphia.In addition, there are seven great-grandchildren

surviving: Benjamin and Nathaniel Jacover; Samuel,Lily and Tahiel Leyton; and Keira

and Paige Bailey.

The family would like to express its immense gratitude to all of Jean’s caregivers

during the past several years: Susan Mayes, Brandy Raithel, Joy Bennett, Karen Watson,

Linda Matheny and Amanda Taylor. A private family gathering will be held at

Springdale Cemetery to commemorate her life. Those wishing to make a donation in

Jean’s honor might consider the Peoria Jewish Federation, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,

or the Peoria Symphony. Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria is in charge of arrangements.