Jean White Dunstan Smith

Jean was born in Fresno, California to William and Pearl White. Soon after, they moved to Berkeley, where Jean graduated from Berkeley High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of California. Jean taught junior high music in Oakland until she took a break to raise her three children. In December of 1960, the Dunstan family moved to Casa Grande, Arizona, where Jean watched her beloved San Francisco Giants during spring training every year. She was an avid bowler and tennis player, as well as organist at the First Presbyterian Church. A move to Tempe in 1967 brought a return to teaching music; first at Ward and Bustoz elementary schools, then to Gililland Junior High. Her original school musicals brought a smile to many a child’s face. In 1986, following her divorce, Jean married her childhood sweetheart, David Smith, and they moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where they lived for 29 years. At the age of 82, Jean bowled in the USBC 2009 Senior Championships, where she placed fourth. David and Jean returned to Arizona in 2015, where Jean led monthly sing-alongs with her fellow residents at Brookdale Apache Junction.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Kathie McMahon (Don), sons John Dunstan (Crystal) and Jim Dunstan (Colette), four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. In Jean’s honor, the family suggests donations to East Valley Children’s Theatre, PO Box 20514, Mesa, AZ, 85277 to carry on her love of music and children.