Mrs. Jean L Winston

Mrs. Jean Louise (Smith) Winston, beloved wife and mother, grandmother and great grandmother died peacefully in her sleep in her home in Las Vegas, NV, with her husband at her side, Thursday, November 5th, 2020. Her passing came just 48 days short of their 70th wedding anniversary. She was 89. Her death came after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Jean was born in San Jose, California to Margaret Pardee Smith and George Smith Jr. of Campbell, California on May 3rd, 1931. She was their first child and is survived by a Brother, Stanley Pardee Smith of Atwater, California. She lived her early life in Campbell, California. At age 7, she simultaneously experienced a ruptured appendix and severe pneumonia. Her parents were advised that she would not survive, but she proved the Doctors wrong and fought her way back to health. That tenacity to face and positively overcome challenges became a guiding characteristic in Jean’s life.

Jean attended both the Campbell Grammar School and Campbell Union High School where she excelled in her studies. As electives, she developed a strong love of music, manifested by playing the cello, and singing in the High School choir. During her Junior year in High School, she met a recent transfer to the school, Donald Winston. Dating exclusively from that time, on December 25, 1950, shortly after he joined the United States Air Force, they were married in San Jose, California. During his 33 years in the Air Force, and subsequent post Air Force careers, as a consummate homemaker, she lovingly and repeatedly established and created over 28 homes for their family on Air Force Bases and in communities all over the United States, and overseas. Her favorites were in Japan and Hawaii. One of her most significant abilities was to immediately assume all the roles and responsibilities of both Mother and Father the numerous times Donald was deployed and then seamlessly revert to their partnership role upon his return. Jean and Donald were proud parents of Teri Lynn (Winston) Ingram, Steven Carl Winston, Sr., and Vicki Ann (Winston) Maloney. Jean also was always active as a volunteer in Air Force Base Hospitals as a Nurse’s Aide and in Base Chapels where she additionally sang in their choirs. As Donald assumed increasing Command positions in the Air Force, Jean not only was often described as a beautifully gracious and perfect hostess, but also a gourmet cook. Most significant, she voluntarily assumed an invaluable role as a leader, counselor, and role model for the wives of the members of his Commands. After her Husband’s retirement from The Air Force, they moved to Los Alamos, NM where Jean also added to her resume by being selected for and excelling in employment as an Office Manager, Administrator, and Head Bank Teller. Those that knew Jean often referred to her as: “Always cheerful”, “Beautiful”, “Gracious”, “Elegant”, “Happy” and “Helpful”.

She is survived by her Husband, Colonel Donald K. Winston, USAF (Retired) of Las Vegas, NV, Daughters, Teri Lynn (Winston) Ingram, of Titus, Alabama, Vicki Ann (Winston) Maloney of San Francisco, CA, Daughter in Law, Debbie (Harrison) Winston of Tucson, AZ, Grandchildren, Kimberly Ann (Ingram) Blackmon of Daphne, AL, Rebecca Leigh Ingram of Birmingham, AL, Kaitlyn Erin (Winston) Smith, Tucson, AZ, Steven Carl Winston, Jr. of Cheyenne, Wy, Megan Elizabeth Winston of Fort Collins, CO, and Great Grandchildren, Branson Michael Blackmon of Daphne, AL, Samantha Nicole Smith of Tucson, AZ, Channing Steven Smith of Tucson, AZ, Amatiel Carly Joliff of Fort Collins, Taren Wade Joliff of Fort Collins, and Tayva Marie Winston of Northern Colorado. She is predeceased by her Son, Steven Carl Winston Sr. who died August 19, 1996 in Loveland, CO and a Great Granddaughter, Everleigh Sage Huff who passed October 22nd, 2019 in Birmingham, AL.

Jean will be interred on December 4th, 2020 at the Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA in a simple private family graveside ceremony.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Winston family.