Jeanne Marie Sexton

Jeanne Marie (Ackerman) Sexton, the daughter of James L. Ackerman and Kathryn Elizabeth (Seifert) Ackerman, was born in Canton, Ohio on June 9, 1925, the eldest of four children. Jeanne grew up in Massillon, Ohio, although she spent five of her early years in Los Angeles, California during the Great Depression. She excelled at St. Mary’s Academy high school in Massillon where she was class treasurer, editor of the school newspaper and played the lead in every class play. She was selected to introduce Monsignor (Bishop) Fulton J. Sheen when he spoke on campus and was class salutatorian at graduation. Jeanne graduated with highest honors and a full scholarship to St. Mary of the Springs girls’ college. After three years at her private college, and with a 4.0 GPA, Jeanne transferred to Ohio State University where they offered a major in radio/speech, a major which was not available at her private school. During school vacation periods, Jeanne taught ballroom dance and worked as a photographer’s model. When World War II ended in 1945, Jeanne’s fiancé, Arthur M. Sexton, returned from Europe. Jeanne increased her coursework in hopes of graduating early, but a few units shy of graduation, she left school and married Art on October 26, 1946 after dating for 6 years. Jeanne continued to act in radio and stage plays early in the marriage, but not long after moving to California in 1955, she focused primarily on raising her children: David, Kathy, Mark and Steven. Jeanne’s child rearing came in two phases, with 11 years between Mark’s and Steven’s births. During this period, Jeanne learned to drive, completed her college education and began a teaching career. When she found that she was going to have a fourth child, she decided to tutor neighbor children rather than continue working in a school setting. Later she worked part-time for Huntington Beach school district and continued to tutor privately. Jeanne also found great pleasure in writing short stories, researching her family genealogy, gardening, reading, baking and staying in communication with friends and family. Her role as secretary of St. Cecilia’s guild in St. Joseph’s parish, where one of her duties was making monthly calls to her many friends, was one of her greatest pleasures for many years. After 62 years of marriage, Art passed away on February 8, 2008. After his death, Jeanne found great pleasure in living with her youngest son, Steve; daughter in law, Karen; and their family of five energetic and loving children. She is survived by her siblings: Mary Kay Benjamin (Bob), Penny Friedrichsen (Jim), Linda Ivan (Michael), Mike Ackerman (Michelle) and Tom Ackerman (Pat), her three youngest children: Kathy Allen (Bill), Mark (Marlene) and Steven (Karen), her 7 cherished grandchildren: Allison Cash (Doug), Audra Healey (Mike), David, Elijah, Elena, Monica and Kolbe, her great-grandchildren: Mason, Ryan, Madeleine and Grant and her many nieces, nephews and other family members. Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Arthur M. Sexton; her eldest son, David; and her brother, James L. Ackerman, II. Throughout her life, Jeanne continued to enjoy watching classic movies, listening and dancing to the music from the Big Band Era, reading (especially the classics), visiting with family and friends and staying up on world news. She was a loyal friend, loving mother and devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. She believed strongly in the power of positive thinking and was an inspiration to those around her. She will always be admired for her courage, tenacity and sense of humor.