Jean Margaret Waldner

1924 - 2018

Jean Margaret Newsom Waldner

Chapel Hill

Jean Margaret Newsom Waldner died on April 15, 2018 in Chapel Hill, NC.

Jean was born on April 30, 1924 in Newark, NJ to Paul Axford and Adams Foster Newsom. An only child, she was raised in Verona, NJ. She met her future husband, J. Dudley Waldner, soon after arriving at Bucknell University, where she became a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. During her summers she worked as a model for Hahne's Department Stores, except the summer Dud was completing Naval Officer Training School when, in order to be near him, she worked in a torpedo factory. They married on May 13, 1944 and after Dud served in WWII they graduated together in 1946, Jean with a degree in English that prepared her to serve as the family grammarian.

After living in Emmaus, PA for several years, the growing family moved to Montclair, NJ and then to Upper Montclair, where Jean served on the board of the Mental Health Association, became a Trustee of the Community Fund, joined the Junior League of Newark, and served on the board of the Friendly Neighborhood House. Eventually the family moved to Glen Ridge, NJ where Jean became active in the Glen Ridge Women's Club. For almost 30 years, their summers were spent on Shelter Island, NY. Whether in NJ or on "The Island," her hospitality and party-hosting skills were unsurpassed. At the same time she maintained a home in which her children were nurtured and their friends were always welcome–for days, weeks, or even months at a time. She also ensured their home always included a dog and at least one cat, plus whatever other creatures her children brought home.

As her children grew up, Jean returned to school to earn Early Childhood Certification from Kean College and began teaching nursery school, eventually becoming the Director of Pilgrim Nursery School in Glen Ridge.

Once their nest was completely empty, Jean and Dud moved into Manhattan. Jean joined the Foreign Policy Association and went to work in her husband's company, Trade Group Associates, where one of her tasks was censoring comics for the Comic Book Association. In 1989 they retired to Chapel Hill, NC and she became involved with the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement, Meals on Wheels, the Duke Children's Hospital, and the Orange County Animal Shelter. Several years later they moved into Carolina Meadows, a continuing care community, and became active volunteers in various jobs, ultimately being honored with the Presidential Award for outstanding service.

Jean's sociability and thoughtfulness led to many long and valued friendships which sustained her throughout her life. She leaves behind many wonderful friends, including her companion of recent years, Fred Meier.

She was admired for her strength and loved deeply by her family, including her husband of 69 years, J. Dudley Waldner, Sr. and daughter, Lynn Adams Waldner, who both pre-deceased her, and her surviving children: Jay D. Waldner, Jr., and wife, Roxanne, of Bozeman. MT, Deborah Newsom Waldner Guttentag and husband, Robert, of Greensboro, NC, Peter Axford Waldner and wife, Sandra, of Shelter Island, NY, and Gregor Carl Waldner, who has Down syndrome and resides in a group home in NJ. In addition, she will be missed by her grandchildren: Kimberly Greene (Jeff), Lisa Lederer (Josh), Daniel Guttentag (Joslyne), Matthew Guttentag, Ryah Dorista, Michael Waldner (Jennifer), Lindsay Deane (Matt), Christopher Corcoran, and Alexandra Corcoran, as well as her eleven great-grandchildren.

The family is very grateful to the Carolina Meadows staff for all of their care and support over the years.

There will be a family gathering when Jean's ashes are interred in the Garden of Memory at the Glen Ridge Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Orange County Animal Services, 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, Meals on Wheels, P. O. Box 2102, Chapel Hill, NC 27515, or Duke Children's Hospital, https://www.dukehealth.org/hospitals/duke-childrens-hospital/giving.