Jean Watkins Gruner

Jean Watkins Gruner, 87, passed away peacefully April 24th at her home in Clyde, NC. Jean was born August 27, 1938 in Flushing, Queens, NY to Paul and Mabel (Hargrove) Watkins. A 1956 graduate of Valley Stream Central High School on Long Island, Jean attended SUNY Plattsburgh concentrating in Home Economics. Jean later worked for Proctor & Gamble Inc. in the State Office Building in Syracuse.

Jean married Erwin Robert Gruner of Lyncourt, NY in 1958 and they soon built their home and life together in Clay, NY, raising their three sons. Eventually the pull of grandchildren drew them to North Carolina. Summers would still find them returning to the Empire State and the Adirondack mountains where they continued to manage housekeeping cottages built by Jean’s parents on Cranberry Lake.

Jean’s love of education and children allowed her to initiate, teach, and direct nursery school for over 20 years at Trinity Nursery School in Clay, NY until retiring. Mrs. Gruner returned to the workforce as a bank teller at the Brewerton, NY branch of Fleet Bank, mostly interacting with customers at the drive-through lanes. Jean’s civic responsibilities included working as an elections inspector in the Town of Clay for primaries and general elections through the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s. She enjoyed needlework and cross stitch projects. Many a friend’s baby birth announcement sampler was created and completed, hopefully, before the child learned to read.

Jean is predeceased by her parents, Paul and Mabel Watkins, and by her husband of 61 years, Erwin. She is survived by her sons, David (Nona Kirby) of Chambersburg, PA, Scott (Kristin Cook) of Clyde, NC, and Michael (Camille Santangelo) of Baldwinsville, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Haley Noelle Gruner and Noah Langley Gruner, both of Clyde, and her beloved cat, Molly, who became her close companion after Erwin’s passing.

No memorial or funeral services are planned at this time. A joint celebration of life is planned for Jean and Erwin this summer in Syracuse, NY.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family requests planting daffodils, Jean’s favorite springtime bloom, in remembrance.

Garrett Funerals and Cremations is caring for the Gruner family. www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com