Jeanne Fox Eason

Eason Jeanne Fox Eason, age 93, cherished wife, mother, and Nana, died gently at home on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. Born in Cleveland on July 5, 1920 to Glenn Ernest Fox Sr. of Norwalk and Edith Adella Herrick Fox of Jefferson. As a child Jeanne loved school so much that when sick, she'd sneak away from home to attend anyway. Recognized for her writing, editorial and leadership skills at Central High School in Fort Wayne, IN she graduated with honors. Enlisting in the Navy during WWII, she served as a WAVE and Link Trainer Instructor, teaching instrument navigation to student pilots. She met her handsome fella, Warren Wortman Eason, in Corpus Christi, TX during his flight training. A favorite family story is that when Warren arrived for his first lesson, Jeanne kept him waiting while she finished reading her mail--including a letter from a hopeful suitor. When Warren arrived for his next lesson, he noticed Jeanne's nails were polished, her hair combed "just so," with no mail in sight. After the war, Jeanne worked as a tour guide at Rockefeller Center while earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Columbia Teachers College. She asked to do her student teaching in Harlem, and was active in early civil rights efforts. Jeanne and Warren were married in 1946 at Warren's childhood home in Mount Vernon, NY, their 63-year marriage ending with Warren's death in 2010. Jeanne taught kindergarten in Baltimore, MD before their two girls were born. In 1961 at the peak of the Cold War, Jeanne and her young daughters accompanied Warren to Moscow for a year of research on the Soviet economic system and people. At a time of great political mistrust, Jeanne prepared meals for her family in an apartment kitchen with the gas turned off by Soviets wary of Americans, and handled daily family life knowing that Soviet officials were listening in on all conversations. Warren's career took them from Baltimore, MD to Princeton, NJ to Syracuse, NY and Worthington, OH, and they created a beautiful home in each city. Family meant everything to her. Preceded in death by her brothers Glenn Jr., Ward, and Wilbur "Squeaky" Fox, and infant granddaughter Jamie Power. Survived by daughters, Katherine Power (Andrew Shewmon) and Barbara (Martin) Himes of Columbus; grandchildren, Sean Power (Gwen Fitzgerald) of Delaware, and Darcy Himes of Columbus. This articulate and gracious woman with a beautiful smile was a gifted writer, artist, and beloved teacher. She spent her final years living with the mists and mysteries of memory loss. Jeanne and Warren were the inspiration for a home in Clintonville for people with memory loss, named Eason House in their honor. She drew her last breaths surrounded by the love of her daughters and two of her caregivers, Deb Farmer and Shelley Martin. With our deepest gratitude we thank longtime Eason House caregivers Lorraine Ferret, Shana Lasater, Lindsey Moore, Renee Heuser, Judy Kielkopf, and Susie Dillon, for their tender care of our mom. We wish to thank Tim Mills and Mark Moore for creating such an extraordinary and loving environment, and our cherished friend Karen McGuire. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, August 10, at FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, 93 West Weisheimer Rd., Columbus, Rev. Mark Belletini officiating. Family will greet friends beginning at 10:30 a.m., with the service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to Operation Smile, as smiles brought Jeanne great joy. www.operationsmile.org Arrangements by COOK & SON-PALLAY FUNERAL HOME.