Glatha Jean Szabadi

GLATHA JEAN SZABADI
October 02, 1940 - May 06, 2008

Fresno, CA , and formerly of Lansing, NY - Glatha (Jean) Szabadi 67, of Fresno, California, and formerly of Olin, Iowa, and Lansing New York, died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno, California. A graveside service was held on May 20, 2008, at Olin Cemetery, Olin, Iowa.
Jean was born in Anamosa, Iowa, daughter of Laverne F. and Anna Marie (Ohlsen) Guhl. She graduated from Olin High School in 1958 and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Iowa State University in Ames in 1962 and her Masters Degree from Cornell University and post-Masters education which included courses in Facilitator, Team and Adult Education, with an emphasis in Leadership Quality and Staff Development.
Jean was a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi, New York State and National 4-H Agents Associations, Cornell Retirees Association, Cornell Retirees Volunteers In Service, Cornell Association of Professors Emeriti, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association, and Iowa State Alumni Association.
Jean directed the Tompkins County 4-H Program during the 1960s which involved approximately 15,000 youth in 120 volunteer-led community 4-H clubs, schools, and youth-serving agencies. She was instrumental in working with 4-H volunteers for the purchase and development of 4-H Acres on Lower Creek Road, Dryden. During the 1970s Jean guided the Tompkins County Expanded Food and Nutrition Program before her appointment at Cornell as a State 4-H Program Coordinator and later as Staff Development Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension. She was frequently cited for her Program and Volunteer Development and Training at both state and national levels.
Jean retired from Cornell University in 1995 and moved to California in 2003 to be near her two children and four grandchildren. She is survived by one daughter, Jennifer Szabadi (and fiancé Joey Sousa) of Clovis, California; one son, Joseph L. (Dana) Szabadi, of Coarsegold, California; and 4 grandchildren, Logan, Paige, Katie, and Shelby.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Laverne and Anna Marie Guhl and one sister, Glenda Jo Scarbrough. A Memorial Service in Ithaca is scheduled for 11:30 AM Sunday, June 29, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 109 Oak Avenue, Ithaca, NY, the Reverend Rick Bair officiating. A memorial at 4-H acres is being established in Jean's name. Gifts may be made payable to CCE-TC - 4-H Acres; note in memo For Jean Szabadi Fund and mail to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 4-H Program, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850.