Jean I Walker

Jean Helen Ivison Walker passed away peacefully on June 19, 2024, surrounded by her children; she was 89 years old. Her husband, Don, to whom she was married for more than 55 years, passed away in 2014.

Jean and Don were residents of Village on the Green, Longwood Florida, having moved there from their longtime home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Jean grew up in Flushing, Queens, New York. She graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Education, and later earned her Master’s of Science degree in Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She began her teaching career at Wayne State University in the Detroit, Michigan area

Throughout her life, Jean was a leader and a trailblazer. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in Bloomfield Hills. She was active in various initiatives and activities aimed at promoting gender equity and empowering women through education, research, and advocacy. Among many other activities, AAUW sponsored an annual book drive, which Jean expanded to include schools in disadvantaged areas. For AAUW, Jean also created the Jean Ivison Walker Research and Projects Grant, a national research and projects grant initiated by the Birmingham Branch.

Jean served as the Co-Founder and Waterfront Director of SCAMP special education camp - the first of its kind special needs summer camp in Michigan. Jean was awarded the coveted teaching excellence Golden Apple Award, recognizing her outstanding accomplishments in teaching disabled students as well as for her leadership growing inclusive special education programs. Jean’s interest in education extended to her leadership of the Bloomfield Hills School District PTO.

From the time that Jean and Don arrived at Village on the Green, Jean was an active member of the community, serving as the Chair of the Residents Committee and an active member of the Brede-Wilkins Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for young employees of Village on the Green. A lifelong athlete, Jean was an active member of the Village on the Green swimming and fitness communities. In her first swim meet representing VOTG, the Rowdy Gaines Invitational, she won a Gold Medal. Finally (not really – there is a lot more!), Jean was a recipient of the Phyllis Lieblich Resident Service Award.

Jean loved, led and laughed. She was fun to be with and drew a diverse group of people and points of view to her. A life-long learner, Jean set an example for her family, who miss her and celebrate her.

Jean lives on through children and grandchildren, daughter Lynda and her husband Marc Allaire; son Douglas and his wife Brenda, grandchildren Devon and his wife Rena, and Casey; and daughter Lisa and her husband Bill Rudnick, grandchildren Jacqueline and Mitch Walker, and Spencer, William and his wife Katie, and Phoebe Rudnick.