Jean K. Steiber

Jean Kuhn Steiber, 93, of Norwich N.Y., passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022, peacefully at her home of 45 years. She was born January 17, 1929, in New Berlin, NY, to parents Henry and Edith Moore Kuhn. On May 4, 1951, she married Frederick D. Steiber, a marriage that would last for 70 years, until Fred’s death eleven months ago. Jean was also predeceased by her parents, stepfather, Albert Rutenber, step siblings Lloyd Edward Rutenber and Arlene Voorhis, and nephews Dale and Steve Colville.

She resided in the Norwich and Chenango Lake area since the 1940s and was a graduate of Norwich Senior High School. After graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper at Norwich Auto Parts. Upon marriage, she became the preeminent homemaker. Alongside her husband, she built one home and renovated two others. Her cooking and baking skills were legendary, and her decorated Christmas cookies were a prized gift to family, friends, and service providers. She was an active gardener until very recently and her flower gardens were much admired. When her children and grandchildren were young, she made many beautiful outfits for them.

Jean was a master crafts person. She excelled at needle crafts, wine-making, quilting, tole painting, doll making, quilling and rug hooking, to name just a few. Her works of art will be treasured and passed down through multiple generations. For a number of years, she traveled throughout the area demonstrating and teaching early American crafts such as natural dying, spinning and weaving and was a founding member of the Thistledown Handspinners Guild. As a former member of the Chenango County Historical Society, she was instrumental in the opening of the Rexford Street Museum.

Family was very important to Jean. She spent many hours in genealogical research, in the days when it meant in person visits to courthouses and letters to other repositories. Eventually Jean and Fred made numerous trips to Germany, where she was able to locate and connect with the German branch of the Kuhn family, with which she maintained a close relationship throughout the remaining years.

She is survived by her children Melissa (Bob) Harrison of Johns Creek, GA, and Christopher (Gail) Steiber of Norwich. Also surviving are six grandchildren that she adored: Elise Harrison (Doug Hair) of Cloudland, GA; Reid Harrison (Rachel Brown) of Henrico, VA; Tyler Steiber (Ashley Revette) of New Berlin, NY; Garrett Steiber (Olivia Jankowski) of Harrisburg, PA; Cora Ashcraft of Cooperstown, NY; Kayleigh (Michael) Natoli of Sherburne, NY. She is also survived by 6 great grandchildren (Marasynn, Brenley, Kinsley, Corbin, Italia and Eli) and nephews: Dan Colville, Terry Rutenber, Jerry Voorhis, Harry Steiber, David Steiber, Richard Steiber and Ian Steiber.

Jean also loved her fur children. Throughout her life, she had many beloved dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, etc. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to a local animal rescue organization.

Friends and family are invited to R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich, from 11:00-12:00 Thursday, June 9th . A service will follow at 12:00, followed by a family internment at Mt. Hope Cemetery.