Jean was born June 26, 1928 in Maesteg, Wales to James and Muriel Samuel. She was the eldest to one brother, John, living a happy childhood in North Wales despite the WWII realities of air-raid sirens, gas masks and food rations. Jean met John Sturton through her best friend, Jill, (who happened to be John’s twin sister) and they were married in 1954. Two years later the couple moved to Newton Abbot, England and soon after became a family of four when Jean gave birth to two children: Christine Joy and Robert William.
On October 15th,1964 Jean found herself on the deck of Queen Elizabeth I, waving goodbye to the life and country she’d known as John had taken a job in Ithaca, NY, USA. Their American adventure continued when three years later John was hired by Boeing, and the family moved to Bellevue, WA. via a two-week cross-country road trip. Although divorced in 1979, Jean spent much of her her free time traveling the world: the UK (22 times), France, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, (5 times), South Africa, New Zealand, Malta, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Russia, Greece, Italy, India, Thailand, Chile, Argentina, Austria, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, etc and visited all but three US states! In between all that traveling, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Bellevue Water District for 22 years, retiring in 1990.
In 2013, Jean moved to the Pacific Regent Retirement Community and enjoyed six thriving years of friendships, activities, and close community with residents and staff. Jean’s life has been characterized by her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the deep relationships she cherished. Her curiosity about people, where they were from, what they were interested in, and finding common connections, made her life rich in friendships and experiences. Her skill at keeping in touch and passing on her British traditions remains unparalleled. Not only has Jean deeply impacted her children and their spouses, but her devotion to her five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren will never be forgotten. Her presence deemed even the most insignificant piano recital or soccer game important. She saw the world with friends and family, had a million memories, stories to tell, and pictures to show. Her exquisite knitting, her perfect cup of tea, her unmistakeable voice, and her faithful presence will be deeply missed by all who loved her.
A memorial service will be held at Bellevue Presbyterian Church on November 25th at 1:00 pm with a tea reception to follow.
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