Jean became our nanny in 1983. There were four children in the house and a dad who was rarely home, so Jean was very important in their lives. She was very gifted in making every day an adventure and pointing out all the wonders of the world in their own neighborhood, and quickly became a member of the family. Before long, she was making their clothes, decorating for their parties, teaching them many things, and substituting at their Jewish preschools (which continued long after they got older). By the way, she had never met a Jewish person before, but became informed and enthusiastic about all our customs! When my husband passed away in 1993, Jean was my role model. Having raised her girls alone, she had a lot to teach me about being both mother and father and taking things in stride. While my capabilities never approached the level of hers, she certainly taught me a great deal. Because we were able to split up the driving and attending activities, my children were able to continue being in different schools, going in different directions, and trying different activities. They developed as individuals because she was there and I know that they would be very different people if Jean had not joined our family. I never could have done the transporting by myself, and they always had an adult who loved them cheering at their games, beaming at dance concerts (for which she had made all the costumes), studying, etc. Everyone just assumed she was their grandmother. They never would have had the opportunities to try the things they tried, or to pursue their varied interests without Jean. When my children began piano lessons, so did Jean. Together, we visited Disneyworld, New York, North Carolina, Ocean City, Israel and Spain with the children- things I never would have attempted on my own with them. When people pass away, most of their survivors have only memories and photos. Jean, however, left behind so many works of art and things she made, that her tangible presence is still very much felt by the magnificent results of the work of her hands. But Jean's biggest achievement and product of her work is her own family---two beautiful capable, artistic, bright, sensible, successful and caring daughters, who, like Jean, can handle just about anything that comes their way, a grandson who got to have a wonderful one-on-one relationship with her from his first days to this very day, and two sons-in-law who completed the family beyond her wildest dreams. May the day soon come when you can remember her with a smile instead of a tear, may our families always be intertwined, and may Jean rest in peace.