Jean Geib

She was the daughter of the late Phillips and Harriet (Donley) LeGault of Madison Street in Wilkes-Barre and Penn Lake. In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her first husband, George J. Willis in 1964 and her second husband, Melvin Geib, Jr. in 2003. She is also preceded in death by her sister Marjorie Stone of Prospect Park, PA and her brothers, John LeGault, of Mountaintop, PA and Phillip LeGault of Reno, NV.

Surviving are her four children; Ruth Nattras, (John) of Middletown NY, George Willis (Karen) of Wilkes-Barre PA, Gary Willis of Lake Zurich, IL and David Willis, (Lynn) of Gilroy, CA. She is survived by 10 grandchildren; John Nattras, Middletown, NY, Laura Kitz, Middletown, NY, George Willis, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Geoffrey Willis (Donna) of Warrior Run, PA, Kate Willis (fiancé Aleks Lapinski) of Bethlehem, PA, Jordan Willis of Lake Zurich, IL, Jacob Willis of Lake Zurich, IL, Phoebe Samuelson (Cory) of Boiling Springs, PA, Christian Willis of Misawa, Japan and Brandon Willis (Jessica) of San Juan Bautista, CA. Great grandchildren include Ava Willis and Luke Willis of Warrior Run, PA and Isak and Noah Samuelson of Boiling Springs, PA.

Jean graduated from Coughlin High School class of 1941. After graduating, she worked nights at the Wilkes-Barre Lace Mill making camouflage netting for the war effort. Jean’s passion for sewing began at age 14 when she began making her own clothes. After the death of her first husband, she began a full-time career in sewing and drapery-making to support her four children. She began with alterations and proceeded to drapery-making at Simons Fabric Center. After learning how to make custom draperies, she began her own business which lasted until her early 80’s. Jean made custom draperies for friends, family, businesses and customers all over Wyoming Valley. Perfection was her trademark. She was still actively quilting and making afghans for patients of the VA Hospital, friends and family members.

Education was very important to Jean and she stressed its importance to her four children. They all completed their advanced degrees and have enjoyed successful careers.

Volunteer work was also a large part of Jean’s life. In her early years she was active in scouting, serving as a Den Mother for her three sons and as a Mother Advisor for the Rainbow Girls of West Pittston. She was also very active in the PTA at the Nesbitt Hospital Auxiliary.

Jean was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star in Wilkes-Barre #90 for over 60 years and later joined the Wyoming Chapter #58. She volunteered regularly making pasties and Welsh cookies. She also volunteered for the Forty Fort Presbyterian Church Quilter’s Group and helping them make pasties and Welsh cookies. She also worked at the West Side Food Bank helping to fill orders and crocheting lap robes.

Her hobbies included walking, swimming, quilting, crocheting and volunteering. For years, she walked around her neighborhood several miles a day and could often be seen walking the dike with friends. She was also very proud of swimming abilities and could swim the length of the pool underwater at John Heinz during physical therapy classes at the time of her death.

Jean loved Penn State football, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. There was nothing more enjoyable than sitting down for a game or two while crocheting an afghan for a wedding or baby gift to friends.

She was a member and elder of Wyoming Presbyterian Church. She participated in fundraising, Bible study and annual rummage sales.

There will be no viewing and funeral services will be held by Merritt Hughes in Wilkes-Barre. Jean will be cremated and buried in Dennison Cemetery in Swoyersville. Services will be conducted by Rev. Laura Lewis of the Wyoming Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, Jean requests memorial gifts be made in her memory to the Wyoming Presbyterian Church or the Order of Eastern Star – Chapter 58 in Wyoming. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Wyoming Presbyterian Church.