Jean M Shearer

Jean McNeil Shearer passed peacefully on August 11, 2017. She was born on July 18, 1922 in Columbus, Georgia, and was raised in Maplewood, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Anne and A.A. McNeil, who was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Jean had two sisters, Mary and Patricia. Mary preceded Jean in death in 2015.

Jean entered the Bureau in 1941, serving as a Clerk in the New York Field Office. She transferred to the Newark Field Office where she worked in the Chief Clerk's Office, eventually becoming a Supervisor. Jean worked in that capacity until leaving the Bureau in 1959. Jean often spoke of her years in the Bureau and was very proud to have been a part of the FBI. She spoke of meeting J. Edgar Hoover in person.

In 1946, Jean married Hal Hornish. They had two children, Keith and Kathi. Jean and Hal were later divorced. While in the Newark Office, Jean met and later married Special Agent James A. Shearer. In 1959 they moved to Michigan, where they lived for 17 years.

Jean lived for a while in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she happily lived with her daughter, Kathi, and her daughter's husband, Francis. She enjoyed many family gatherings with her daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jean truly loves her family and spoke of them often.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Kathi Wikel; three grandchildren, Julie, James and Chris; and eight great grandchildren, Jordan, Jasmine, Bailey, James, Gina, Myra, Bella and Ryan. She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Joel, in 2001 and her precious great granddaughter, Nicole, in 2002.

One of Jean's favorite pastimes was working the New York Times crossword puzzles. She always said it improved her vocabulary and kept her mind sharp. She was an avid reader and kept Barnes & Noble in business. Jean was also a big fan of the Phoenix Suns basketball team and the Diamondbacks baseball team.

A Funeral Service will be held 10:00am, Friday, August 18, 2017 at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary, 719 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85009 with Interment following.