1922 ~ 2017
Jean Meredith Overfelt passed away at home with her loving husband and family by her side on June 6, 2017. She was a dignified, elegant and classy lady who inspired us with her courage, grit and determination to live fully and celebrate each day with an open heart and mind. Her life was a treasure that we will continue to honor with love and respect.
Jean was born in Boise, ID on July 31, 1922 to Elizabeth "Ike" Lewzader and P.C. Meredith. She attended the Boise public schools and graduated from Boise High School in 1940. As a young woman, she also attended Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) prior to coming to Salt Lake City to enroll at the University of Utah. It was at the U where she affiliated with Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and met her true love, Ira Eugene Overfelt at a fraternity exchange party.
Jean and Gene were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, CA on May 19, 1945. Thus began a remarkable love story and long-lasting partnership that is both rare and difficult to achieve. Less than a month ago, Jean and Gene celebrated their seventy-second wedding anniversary. They were a couple fully engaged in family, friendships, community affairs and worldwide travel. They created a beautiful life together and shared the joys of music, song and dance. They fulfilled their dreams and built rich, lasting memories at Jean's favorite places, the Overfelt cabin at Fish Lake, UT and Coronado, CA.
Jean was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother. She raised her three grateful children to be caring, respectful, giving and independent. She was supportive of their endeavors and encouraged their interests. She cherished and was adored by her six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Jean was a good sport. She was able to laugh at herself without taking life too seriously. Even though it wasn't always her thing, she waterskied, snowmobiled and even tried jet skiing. She preferred warm weather and enjoyed playing golf and tennis. She liked crab cakes, buttered noodles and a good martini. Jean knew when and how to use her subtle sense of humor, often catching others off guard during discussions about current events, politics and entertainment. She was a life-long learner, avid reader, good conversationalist, lover of the arts and friend to many. Jean will also be remembered for her stylish dress and appearance. She never left the house without looking her very best. Jean always demonstrated kindness to animals. She had a very special relationship with her little dog, Cindy.
Throughout her long and well-lived life, Jean served her community and the state of Utah. She was a board member of Neighborhood House. She was the first woman to be appointed to the Utah Board of Higher Education (now the Utah Board of Regents) and served two terms as a member. She was a member of Town Club and several other organizations.
As a proud University of Utah graduate, Jean remained true to her school. She supported the social and behavioral science programs and UTE athletics teams. Jean and Gene were season ticket holders, tailgaters and Crimson Club members for many years and recognized as "Super Fans" at half time on the field at Rice Eccles Stadium. The University of Utah Alumni Association presented Jean with a Merit of Honor Award in 1999. She was very pleased that her children and grandchildren are all U graduates.
Jean is survived by her husband, Gene; daughters Marsha Harmon (Stephen) and Meredith Orton (Larry); son Mark Overfelt (Vicki); grandchildren Paul Harmon (Candice), Adam Harmon (Kimberly), Andrew Harmon (Cortney), Larry Orton, Jr., Kelley Beaudry (Zach) and Sophia Overfelt; great grandchildren Paige Harmon, Mia Harmon, Ella Harmon, Jack Harmon, William Harmon, Ben Beaudry, Katy Beaudry and Grayson Harmon, all of Salt Lake City, UT.
Per Jean's wishes, a private service will be held. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider a contribution to Neighborhood House (www.nhutah.org). Online condolences may be sent to www.wasatchlawn.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Jun. 11 to Jun. 12, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Jean Overfelt

Sponsored by Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary.

13 Entries

Lila Lee Christensen

June 15, 2017

My most sincere condolence of sympathy Eugene and family. My family was grateful for the friendship kindness and support over the early years of my life. May you have peace with the passing of your sweetheart and mother... knowing that you are loved by lots of Gunnison neighbors.
Lila Lee Christensen

Kathy Biele

June 15, 2017

Marsha and Family, I am so sorry and think of this as an end of an era. She was such a bright light. Jean and Gene were great friends of my folks, all gone now but hardly forgotten. Who could? They were people of spunk, grace and love. Hang on to those memories.

June 15, 2017

Gene and the rest of the Overfelt Family -

Our deepest sympathy on Jean's passing. She was a wonderful woman and neighbor.

- Marjorie Wilkinson and her five sons

Sue and Wayne Lewis-Pratt

June 14, 2017

So sorry for your lose for a wonderful lady. Deepest sympathy to you and your family.

jerry roberts

June 13, 2017

what a classy family. My condolences Jerry

Dave Myrup

June 13, 2017

Overfelt family,

So sorry for your loss I have good memories about your wife and mother.
She was always so happy and friendly
when ever I meet her. She raised a
great family and never called the cops
when a bunch of boys were raising cane
in front of your home.

May the lord be with you at this time.
Dave

Bob Ithurralde

June 12, 2017

Dear Gene,

I was sorry to hear of Jean's passing. It was always a pleasure to meet her when she accompanied you to the barber shop. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Gary & Paulette Birdsall

June 12, 2017

Gene and the extended Overfelt family --

We are thinking of you at this tough time. We know the great life memories you have had with Jean will give you the opportunity to smile. We were very fortunate to know Jean -- always fun to be around.

Kindest personal regards . . . Gary and Paulette

John Carver

June 12, 2017

Marsha & Meredith - I was sorry to read of your mother's passing. I remember her as a woman of great poise and grace. I hope you and your families are otherwise doing well.

Dawn LaRue Stevenson

June 11, 2017

Dear Gene, Marsha, Meredith, and Mark,
I am so sorry about the passing of Jean. I have so many fond memories of her. To your list of dignified, elegant and classy, I would add kind and gracious. I so appreciated how she welcomed me into your home. I do not think I was ever in her presence without her talking to me personally and with interest, always making me feel comfortable and accepted. For me, she was an ideal of the kind of woman I wamted to become: smart, educated, kind and funny as well as elegant and classy. Alas, I will never be as dignified as she was. I learned to love white glaze wrapping paper with red ribbon from Jean. I loved the cieling in the basement bar with the pinlights. I saw Jean in Nordstrom years ago and was surprised at how small she was. From my young perspective she had seemed so much taller and with a lot of personal power. Meredith, I did not realize how much you look like your mother. She was a great inspiration and blessing to all of us who knew her. Love to all.

Jean & Harry Wong

June 11, 2017

Dear Gene & Family,

Our deepest sympathy to all your family upon the loss of your wonderful Jean. It has been an honor to be friends and neighbors for many years. May many wonderful and cherished memories of Jean sustain you in this time of sorrow.

Mary and Mike Mattsson

June 11, 2017

For decades, we've been pleased about the fact we shared neighborhoods with Jean and Gene both in Salt Lake and Fish Lake, and we've loved our visits whenever our paths crossed at either place. What good, classy, and charming people.... Our condolences to you, Gene, and your family on your loss.

Robin Kelly

June 11, 2017

Dear Gene & Family,
I'm sorry for your loss of Jean! I need to share a memory that I have of both Gene & Jean. About 15 years ago or so. Myself & a group of my friends rescued them & their car off the mountain at Alta. We where hiking the basin to see wild flowers & their car was stuck. So, the group of us girls where able to push the car to safety! About a year or two later I called them to meet us for brunch at alta & they did ! I did keep in touch for awhile by phone. I often think about them & when I get with that group of girls I talk about them and say we need to get together with Gene & Jean ! I'm sorry I did not follow up with my thoughts Every time I go past that spot at alta I remember them. Just last week I took a fiend up that canyon & told her the story ! Thanks for the memories

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results