Jean Mary All

Jean Mary All, née Opioła, left this Earth from San Marcos, California on April 27, 2022, wishing all and sundry she knew as she did so her signature salutation: "I love you, I love you, I love you." She was 88 years old. Jean was born to the late Albert Tadeusz Opioła and Mary Opioła (Dul) on July 2, 1933 in Flint, Michigan. With no brothers or sisters, she made many friends, and her father especially doted upon her, though once Jean mischievously put bubble gum in his hair — but only once! Jean attended Flint Central High School and was awarded a scholarship to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, where she earned her bachelor's degree in English (Polish was her first language) and a master's degree in Languages and Linguistics with a teaching credential. Flint is also where Jean met her husband of over 58 years, Dr. Stephen A. All III, with whom Jean is now reunited for eternity. While Jean was completing her studies, her husband-to-be served in the United States Army in Korea, and after his honorable discharge and completing his masters degree in Communications, also at Ann Arbor, they were wed in Flint on September 4, 1954. For those first few years, Jean and Stephen lived frugally in a "just big enough" trailer while Stephen worked in local radio and experimented producing what we now call "content" for the new medium of television. Picnics, church events, gatherings on the family farm of apricot trees and beehives near the Flint River made up what Jean recalls as "a honeymoon bliss of happiness that kept going on and on." Three daughters, two sons, multiple promotions for Stephen to the University of Michigan Radio and Television Service and a new home in Flint followed into the 1960s. Jean believed in natural childbirth for her five children with "no drugs, no shots — the way that God intended new mothers to experience joy." She was an early environmentalist, re-reading well-thumbed and pencil-margined Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, teaching her children to read the ingredients on food labelling, insisting upon no preservatives and being organic decades before it was a thing. Being a proud, fierce, protective, wholesome mother is an understatement to describe Jean. She was devoutly spiritual, sharing the teachings of the Catholic Church, Paramahansa Yogananda, Catherine Ponder and the Unity Church, incorporating powerful aspects and attitudes of prosperity, healing, prayer and love into her life and daily being, deeply touching those around her. A 1966 opportunity in San Diego to put the local public television station on the air with the public schools was an exciting move for the family, one that over the coming years drew more family to move to southern California, too. Soon, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and neighbors became part of the celebrations, backyard swim lessons, family camping trips in a big station wagon (with CB radios as we caravan!), hobbies and serious endeavors alike, from ice skating lessons and bowling leagues, boy scouts and judo, PTA, helping with homework and studies and all the rest of what makes up a happening family. Jean sure had fun with her kids and family! One or two of her children had their own mother as a substitute teacher as Jean began her teaching career in San Diego's local elementary schools. She eventually gravitated to the San Diego Community College District as her "stu-dents" dubbed her "la profesora," teaching English as a Second Language to students from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South and Central America. Jean was so loved as a teacher by the multi-cultural communities she taught that she and her family were invited to weddings and celebrations from people from all over the world. Jean set a record for the longest tenure in the District, retiring in 2019 from a 45-year-long career. Remaining, with fond and loving memories, are her five children, Wendy All-Rosen of Tarzana, Elizabeth King of Rancho Santa Fe, Suzanne Holm of Temecula, Stephen Albert All of Santa Cruz, Michal John All of San Diego, their spouses and five grandchildren. A celebration of Jean's life with her family and friends will be held on Saturday, July 2, 2022, from 1 - 3 PM at the Unity Church of El Cajon, 311 Highland Avenue, El Cajon, California 92020. Instead of flowers or other gifts, you are asked to make a donation in the name of Jean All to the San Diego Humane Society (sdhumane.org) or the Unity Church of El Cajon.

Memories of Jean may be shared at www.elcajonmortuary.com.