Mama Jean was one of the most warm, enthusiastic, talented, caring and supportive 
teachers I have ever had the good fortune to study with in high school and in college. She also had a wonderful and occasionally, wicked sense of humor and always quick to laugh and share a smile.
She has been a great influence in my life and I know, in the lives of so many students, fellow teachers, family and friends. She is and will continue to be greatly missed. God Bless You, Mama Jean!
With love, gratitude and remembrance,
Valerie Piacenti
Seattle, WA

We will truly miss Jean Pavy Workman: through our church, our school, visits beyond number, Jean (and her beloved Carl) became a treasured and lasting friend, who, with her life, deeply enriched our lives and filled our hearts with beautiful, joyful music.
      The entire Reif family

Mama Jean taught me to close my eyes, listen to the music and enjoy the sound a voice can make. Even today when I hear a beautiful voice I think of Mama Jean and I close my eyes to listen. The Lord bless you and keep you Mama Jean

                                                                     Joe Zilligen (Republic Missouri)

You will always live in our hearts and prayers.

From 1959 through 1967 Jean was my vocal director for the musicals I directed at Bloom High School. I went on to teach in college but I never had a vocal person as accomplished as Jean. She had the quality that made students want to produce their very best. We had a few treasured years working together.
                                          Richard Peterson, Savoy, IL

I consider myself lucky to have been in her choir throughout my years at Bloom HIgh School.  She was a wonderful woman and she touched our hearts forever.

Mama Jean, you were instrumental in my direction and dedication to music, and taught me not to be shy about what you called my supertalents.  You set the ball rolling for my many stage performances in musical theatre later on.  For this I am eternally grateful.  I know the angels are singing now that you have arrived.

Like others have said - I will never forget the friendship I had with Mama Jean. I was lucky enough to be the accompanist for the TnTs for two years and she made every minute a blessing. I also had the honor and privilege of putting together the TnT reunion in 2000 and that fantastic event just would not have been the same if Mama Jean was not in attendance. But of course she was! Mama Jean was not going to miss the chance of being with 100+ of her old students (and friends) from across the country. She will be missed by so very many including myself.

You will be greatly missed.  I spent many happy school hours with you!

Mama Jean was a treasure for those of us who were lucky enough to be involved in Bloom Drama and Music over the years.  She was an inspiration to all of us and gave me the confidence to "trod the boards" many times during my young adulthood.  God truly broke the mold when he made her.  The heavenly choir will be made richer for her presence there.  God Bless You, Mama Jean.  We love you.

Some of my fondest memories from highschool were those  I recall from A Capella  choir and the two musicals in 1967 and 1968 - Oklahoma and Bye Bye Birdie. Thank you for your dedication. Heaven's choirs are singing with joy tha you have joined them.

She willingly shared her love of music with so many. She was always a positive influence and a real motivator. I was always thankful I had been the recipient of her expertise. She was so much more than the choir director. Cathy (Nykaza) Primavera

there wasn't a student you taught, who's life you hadn't influenced in some way..you were an amazing teacher,woman,and friend. I was privileged,to have you as a teacher.you will always be remembered with love. thank you.

I was in choir in high school under the tutelage of Mama Jean. I wasn't the best singer, but she made me feel so. She encouraged me to do my best and be proud of that, a lesson I carried through life. Thank you and God bless.

Rest in Peace, Mama Jean.  You will be greatly missed, but will live on in our hearts and memories for many, many year.  I know she is with Papa Carl now and so happy to be reunited with her true love.  My thoughts & prayers go out to her family.  May the Lord bless you and keep you.

I first knew Mama Jean from our church where she was often a featured soloist with the choir.  When I was old enough to join the church choir at age 14, Jean Workman also had become my teacher for Freshman Chorus.  I was fortunate to have had her as my instructor through all four years of high school.  She taught with talent, and she taught by example.  Students' best efforts were always expected and always praised.  Almost 50 years later, I'm still participating with a church choir and with an orchestral chorus due to her influence.  Over the many years since high school, our paths often crossed when I was in Chicago Heights and sang with the church choir.  My husband and I live in Columbus, Indiana about 20 minutes away from the Westport area where Mama Jean grew up.  When her mother passed in 1978 during one of the worst snow and ice events anyone could remember, I was the only person with connections to Jean's life in Homewood/Chicago Heights/Bloom High School who was able to attend.  Jean asked me to ride with her family in their limo for the trip to the cemetery.  I felt honored and pleased to be there for her.  The last time that I saw Mama Jean was in September 2000 during the Bloom High School Centennial celebration.  My sister Barbara and I sang with a chorus of more than 100 former Trojanettes and Trojanaires for an afternoon concert,  Mama Jean conducted the final two songs -â€“ The Bloom alma mater â€œHail to the White, Hail to the Blueâ€¦â€ and the Lutkin â€œThe Lord Bless You and Keep Youâ€.  It was a perfect day.
Beth Booth Poor (Columbus, IN)

Mama Jean, as we all called her, was a tremendous influence on my life.  Her love of music and teaching gifts blessed us all in ways of which we may not even be totally aware.  I so enjoyed spending time with her these last 8 years since we bought a house in Tucson and lived there during the falls and winters.  She was ever sharp and curiuos and so enjoyed remembering her wonderful life.  Heaven has another angel.

Suzanne Hendron Vaughn BTHS 1967

OBITUARY

Jean P Workman

September 17, 1922 – August 24, 2012

East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery

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