Jean Reed

1945 - 2012

Jean Reed, 66, of Jacksonville, passed Thursday, March 15, 2012, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis in the presence of her family. She previously had been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in January 2010 and bravely sought aggressive treatments, including a stem cell transplant in 2011.
Jean was born Aug. 11, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, the only daughter of James and Ann Wierzbowski Piper. She was preceded in death by her father, James; and brother, Peter.
Jean graduated from Perth Amboy High School in New Jersey, and had a diverse career working for GEICO Insurance in New York City, the Bank of New Orleans in New Orleans, as an executive assistant for the United Nations human rights commissioner in Geneva, Switzerland, and at Zumbahlen, Eyth, Surratt, Foote, and Flynn in Jacksonville for 27 years. Throughout her career she was inspired by her work and was a dedicated employee.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Reed of Jacksonville; two loving daughters, Victoria Michonski (husband, Mark) of Chicago and Renee Tearney (husband, Tom) of Jacksonville; cherished grandson, Max Michonski of Chicago; her mother, Ann Piper of Edison, N.J.; and brothers, Thomas Piper (wife, Gayle) of Edison, N.J., and Michael Piper of Perth Amboy, N.J.; niece, Mary Ator Masterson (husband Glen, children Grant, Morgan, Matt and Dalton) of Glen Carbon; and nephew, Willie Ator of Tulsa, Okla.
Jean married Jim on Jan. 14, 1967, in Fort Hamilton, N.Y., after a whirlwind courtship of three months. They remained inseparable for the following 45 years, some of which they spent living abroad because of Jim's service in the United States Marine Corps. She passionately cared for her family and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. Skilled at making friends, she was a kind and compassionate woman who enjoyed meeting new people and always had a kind word for all. She loved music (especially Dixieland jazz), going on cruises and traveling throughout the United States and Europe. An avid collector of antiques, Jean built her extraordinary collection by traveling around central Illinois attending auctions. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, organizing parties and laughing with her grandson, Max.
Jean, a Christian and member of the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, was always eager to support friends, old and new. Her generosity and attention to the needs of others was exceptional. She was an active member of several social organizations throughout her life, most notably the Mardi Gras Club in New Orleans, the Waiting Wives' Club (Vietnam) and the Marine Enlisted Wives' Club. Her courageous battle with illness was a testament to her extraordinary strength and served as an inspiration for many.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be left at www.buchanancody.com.