Jean Weiss

Jean Weiss, age 87 of Wilmington, NC, died May 19th at NHRMC. Her personal mission statement was "To know Jesus and to make Him known". She was born August 12, 1925, in Wilmette, IL, daughter of Pastor Albert and Paula Zetzer. She married Karl Weiss June 15, 1947 in Bay Shore, Long Island, NY, and served as a missionary in Liberia, West Africa (Lutheran Church of America) for 3 1/2 years. From 1942-1960 Jean held a variety of positions including manager of a soda fountain at the local drug store; social secretary to two Blue Register families; church office secretary in New York City; secretary in a law office, lumber supply company, and an electronics firm. She also was a department store sales clerk. In 1963 she was a religion teacher at Long Island Lutheran High School where Karl was the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. She taught Sunday School for grades 7-12 for over 40 years. From 1964-1965 she was the assistant to the Project Director of the Lutheran Exhibit in the Protestant Center at the New York World's Fair. From 1968-1988 she was a secretary in the graduate Department of Counseling and Development at Long Island University, C.W. Post campus, NY. Karl and Jean retired in 1988 and they moved to Wilmington. They fell in love with the area. From 1989-1992 Jean taught in the literacy program Sing, Spell, Read and Write. Over a four year period Jean devoted herself to the creation, editing, and distribution of the Christian Yellow Pages. She exercised regularly at the Wilmington YMCA and was an inspiration and a friend to many. She purchased Bibles and personally distributed them throughout the community. She and Karl first attended Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church and then transferred to the Vineyard, which is now the Global River Church. Jean served as a prayer intercessor and as a "Meeter Greeter". Her daily passion was to "know Jesus and make him known." She is survived by her sister, Irene Smatlak, and her children Barbara of Raleigh, NC, Gregory and wife Christine of South Hempstead, NY, and Roslyn of Glen Cove, NY, and two grandchildren Alex and Peter. A funeral service will be held Thursday May 23rd 6pm at Global River Church S. College Rd with an ice cream reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Global River Church Missions, Global River House of Mercy, American Bible Society, or WHQR classical radio station.