Jean B. Hagan

Jean B. Hagan, age 90, died in Austin, TX, June 27, 2013. She was born August 19, 1922, in Monticello, AR. She is survived by her beloved family: son, Edwin A. Ressler; daughter-in-law, Mary Beth Ressler; and grandson, Nathan A. Ressler.

Jean grew up in Fort Smith, AR where she married Edwin A. Ressler, a young officer from Pennsylvania stationed at Fort Chaffee during World War II. As a career military spouse, Jean spent her life as a consummate homemaker, creating a warm and loving environment in abodes as diverse as a Quonset hut or Army-issue apartments to family homes in several states and in Japan and Germany. She was adept at crafts, painting, and sewing and made any residence a lovely home in a matter of days. She was active in several military wives' service organizations throughout the years. Her generosity of spirit and sense of humor helped her make friends easily and keep friends for a lifetime. She was an avid reader all of her life, even in her final years, hampered by macular degeneration, but armed with her ever-present magnifying glass.

After Edwin preceded her in death in 1980, Jean remained in El Paso, TX where they had retired. In 1988 she married Benjamin Hagan, a retired U. S. Air Force officer. Jean and Ben enjoyed a happy and companionable time together until his death in 2004. Jean moved to Austin, TX to spend her remaining years near her son and his family.

Besides Edwin, Sr. and Ben, Jean was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and two brothers.

She and her only son, Edwin, had a close and loving relationship, cemented by the mutual support they provided to each other as they faced new situations and challenges. She welcomed her daughter-in-law with open arms, an open heart, and the same unconditional love. And not surprisingly, she was the best grandma in the world to her beloved grandson. Her survivors will be forever grateful to her for wonderful memories of laughter and fun-filled times; and also for everything she taught them about the paramount importance of sharing love.