Jean W. Walker

8/21/24 – 2/3/21

Jean Winifred (Gallagher) Walker was born August 21, 1924 in Oakland, California as the oldest child of Hugh and Kathleen Gallagher. She grew up in Beverly Hills graduating from Beverly Hills High School in February 1943 and received her B.A in English Literature from the University of California, Los Angeles in June 1946. While at UCLA, she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and active in the University’s music and drama honorary program as a member of the A Cappella Choir and Madrigal Singers. She also was a member of the UCLA “Daily Bruin” staff and class council all four years. Her lifelong membership in the Episcopalian faith began with her singing as an alto soloist at St. Albans Episcopal Church adjacent to campus.

After graduation, Jean worked in journalism as a reporter, editor or feature writer for the “Women’s Wear Daily,” New York City, the Los Angeles Mirror -News and the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, and the Knickerbocker News, Albany, NY. Jean was recognized for her work in both “Who’s Who of American Women” and “Who’s Who in the West.”

In 1958, Jean married Dr. Franklin V. (“Vic”) Walker in Los Angeles, California, a college professor teaching Economics at Pomona College. They had three children together and lived in Claremont, CA, Washington DC, Albany, NY. The family traveled around the world and lived for a year in Islamabad, Pakistan when Vic was on a Fulbright sabbatical year from State University of New York (“SUNY”), Albany in the mid-70’s. They divorced in 1979.

Jean received a Master’s in Elementary Education from the College of St. Rose, Albany in 1975. She taught English at the Islamabad International School and was a youth job counselor for the Town of Colonie, Albany County, until she retired in 1994 and moved to Boulder, Colorado.

Throughout her life, Jean continued her love of music, literature and drama as an enthusiastic opera goer and member of the Book Discussion Group at St. Aiden’s Episcopal Church. She was an active Democrat Precinct worker and a member of the League of Women Voters. She volunteered for the Boulder County Probation Department and Bear Creek Elementary School.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and by her beloved younger brother, Hugh Jr., and Aunt Dorothy (“Dote”) Remmer. She is survived by her three children and their families: Jeannette Kathleen Walker Kornreich (Scott), granddaughter Elise Jean Kornreich Brunsgaard (Thomas), grandson Neal Walker Kornreich (Irena), and great granddaughters Carolyn Jean and Isabelle Kornreich; Lawrence (“Lance”) Joel Walker (Val) and grandson Derek Thor Walker; and Lisa Dorothy Walker Murray (Keith), grandsons Connor Matthew Murray and Kyle Walker Murray, and granddaughter Grace Walker Murray.

In honor of her life and passions, contributions can be made to Colorado Public Broadcasting Service (“PBS”) and Via Mobility Services.