Jeannette Joullian Sias, 81, honored Oklahoma City philanthropist and arts and education advocate, died April 15, 2014, surrounded by her family. Born June 27, 1932 in Oklahoma City, OK, she graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Therapy and earned a Master of Arts Degree in Speech from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, in 1956. Jeannette worked as a therapist with the Oklahoma City Public Schools. She served on the board of trustees of Oklahoma City University, and board of directors of The Oklahoma City Philharmonic, KCSC Radio, Oklahoma Methodist Foundation, and State Arts Council of Oklahoma. She was also a member of the Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, Ladies Music Club, Oklahoma City Orchestra League, Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and Allied Arts. She was a 50-year member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and a dedicated volunteer for the Omniplex Science Museum and Oklahoma Zoological Society. Winner of numerous honors and awards for life time achievement, Jeannette most recently received the Marilyn Douglas Award from the Oklahoma State Arts Council (2013), was honored by induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame (2009), Community Literacy Centers Award (2009), and The Oklahoma City University Servant Leader Award (2009). Together with her husband Richard L. Sias and brother Edward C. Joullian, III, she founded Joullian Vineyards of Carmel California. She was instrumental in establishing the Ad Astra Foundation and directing its philanthropic work. Jeannette worked tirelessly throughout her life to improve and sustain the fine, performing and culinary arts, education, her church, and countless humanitarian programs and causes. Her husband of 54 years, Richard, her daughter, Alice Sias Pippin, husband, Philip, and grandsons Richard, Philip and John survive Jeannette. Her parents Edward C. Joullian, Jr., and Alice Tailleur Joullian; brother Edward C. Joullian, III, and wife Letitia; and sister Jeanne Joullian Richards predeceased her. She is also survived by her niece Marion Joullian Story, and husband Craig; nephew E. Carey Joullian, IV, and wife Carol; niece Barbara Paul; and niece Jeanne Ann Land, and husband Jerry Land; and numerous grand nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Mercy Hospital, Angelie Sales and Rebecca Carpenter for their compassionate care. Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 22 at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra or the Jeannette Sias Music Scholarship Fund for Oklahoma City University at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.
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