Jean Rosenast Stachel: October 4, 1923 – September 26, 2022. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Jean spent most of her first 70 years in New Jersey. Jean loved fashion, playing sports, and bridge from an early age. Even as a child Jean loved to pretend she was a teacher, playing ‘school’ in her garage with the other neighborhood children as her students. She had a wonderful childhood, with loving parents and a close relationship with her older brother (Bob Rosenast). They would often play bridge at home as a family. Jean’s mother, whom she adored, often made beautiful dresses for her many school dances. After graduating from Merchantville High School in 1941, Jean attended the University of North Carolina Greensboro, graduating in 1945. She then started her career as a high school teacher, teaching personal finance, accounting, economics, short hand, and typing. During her nearly 40 year career, Jean taught at the following high schools in New Jersey: Pitman, Merchantville, and Millburn. To the delight of her students, Jean enjoyed going to high school games and rooting for many of her student athletes. Jean was introduced to her future husband, Bill, by a co-worker. Their first date was bowling where Jean was impressed with Bill’s athletic ability. Jean was so proud of Bill’s intelligence and the work he did as a physicist. Bill also had bravely served in World War II under General George Patton. Bill and Jean married and lived in Short Hills, New Jersey where they enjoyed an active social life, including golf and duplicate bridge. They also enjoyed traveling together, with trips to Asia and many times to Europe. In 1993, after both Jean and Bill had retired, they moved to San Juan Capistrano, California, not too far from her brother Bob. They soon became active members of El Niguel Country Club, and numerous bridge clubs. Jean loved her home, her kind and helpful neighbors, and the wonderful and many friends she had at El Niguel and St. Edwards Catholic Church. Jean was also devoted to her family. Jean loved and prayed for all of her grandnephews and grandnieces and enjoyed playing and being with her great grandniece Emma and great grandnephews Trey and Finn. Jean loved to spend time with all the children. One grandnephew (Rob Rosenast) was born shortly after their move to California and Jean began babysitting Rob every single week. When Rob was in elementary school Jean would pick him up from school and take him to their home in San Juan Capistrano. Bill would play catch with Rob in the backyard and help him at the kitchen table with his homework, while Jean would fix him dinner and dessert. Sometimes Rob would spend the night, go on a train trip, or see a parade with them. Rob was like the ‘son’ Bill and Jean never had. Jean became a big sports fan of Rob’s and hardly ever missed a game. Jean lived a full, long and active life, abundantly blessed with love from her supportive church, faithful family, many wonderful friends, incredible neighbors and even loving, amazing doctors and nurses. Always the 'teacher', Jean loved to give compliments and A+'s to anyone who helped her and did a good job! Jean was predeceased by her husband, Bill Stachel; brother, Robert “Bob” Rosenast; and nephew Richard Rosenast (Cheryl). Jean is survived by her nephew, Tom Rosenast (Sue); niece, Carol Rosenast; grandnephews, Brian Sweeney and Rob Rosenast; grandnieces, Christine Rosenast and Jennifer Pryor (Josh and their three children).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com for the Stachel family.
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