Jean Overman Whiton

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Juilliard School

Jean Whiton Obituary

JEAN OVERMAN WHITON of Guilford, died quietly on August 4, 2010, after a lengthy illness at the age of 91. Jean was born on June 11, 1919, to Laura and Charles Overman of Oakdale, Calif. She was the youngest of three children and spent all of her childhood in California. Jean entered school in California and attended Modesto Junior College. She then earned her B.A. in Music at the University of California, Berkeley. She continued her musical studies at the Juilliard School of Music in New York where she earned a Certificate in Flute Performance in 1939. Her principal teacher at Juilliard was Georges Barrï¿½re. Jean married Peter Whiton in 1947 and moved to Wilton, where together they built a family and a life in music until her husband passed away in 1972. She then continued her own successful professional career. Jean was principal flutist of the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra in Greenwich, under John Nelson and David Gilbert from 1971 until 1989. She continued as the flutist with The Greenwich Chamber Players for a number of years after retiring from the orchestra. Jean was a sought after teacher, teaching a number of students who went on to successful professional careers. She is survived by three sons, Michael, Paul, and Geoffrey; three daughters, Barbara, Linda, and Margaret; nine grandchildren, Jason, Daniel, Kevin, Sarah, Madeline, Ember, Moriah, Grace and Jordan; and four great-granddaughters. She will be sorely missed by her family and colleagues and all who knew her. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 21st at 11 a.m. in the First Congregational Church, Branford, 1009 Main Street, Branford, CT 06405. In lieu of flowers, the Whiton family requests that contributions be made to the music department of your local school system, or to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd, Branford, CT 06405 or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. For more information or to send an online condolence for the family, please visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.

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Published by GreenwichTime on Aug. 8, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Jean Whiton

3 Entries

Barli Nugent

August 14, 2010

I was a very shy 11 year old when I had the great good fortune to be accepted as a flute student by Mrs. Whiton. She was such a skilled teacher and generous human being. She gave me the tools to grow as a flutist -- technical and musical -- but lessons with her were also fun. She laughed a lot, and showed me how to do that too. I also knew that she had confidence in me, and that was a rare and priceless gift. There were many stories about her lessons with Georges Barrere -- the beginning of my awareness of understanding (and living) the importance of musical legacy in training. She also saw to it that I played my first orchestra "gig" with her, something that really opened my eyes to the joys of orchestral playing. I went on to conservatory training and a career in chamber music, raised a family and later went to see her -- I should have done it far more often. I had just finished a doctoral degree, and my final doctoral recital was a tribute to my teachers, beginning with her. She was tickled pink and we sat and laughed together, just as always. What a rare person she was. And how blessed I was to know her. I am now the Assistant Dean at Juilliard, her alma mater; she will be in my heart always.
Barli

Elizabeth Gross

August 11, 2010

Jean Whiton was one of the most remarkable and most lovable people I've ever had the good fortune to know. It's not often that you meet someone who is as talented, accomplished and erudite as Jean, and at the same time so down-to-earth, so steady, so practical, and just plain fun to be around. Her energy, her intelligence, her sense of humor, her independent spirit, her warmth and understanding are just a few of the qualities that made her such an indelible, indispensable person.

I will never forget Jean and the kindness she showed me during my years in New York, and will be forever grateful for the many ways that she has enriched my life. My deepest sympathy goes to my dear friend, Barbie, and all of the Whitons -- you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
with love,
Elizabeth

Paul Heinrich

August 7, 2010

Dear Whitons........hopefully some of you may remember the name Paul Heinrich from Wilton....well that's me and I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mother....she was quite a lady and lived a rich life...I myself have been married 44 years, have 3 children and 7 grandchildren, and reside retired in Cromwell, Ct. Mike, I remember fondly our youthful days wrestling and fishing....I am at [email protected].

Paul Heinrich

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