JEAN CAMPBELL

1930 - 2014

Campbell, Jean "graduated to a better place" on Saturday morning March 22, 2014, surrounded by family at her home in Corona del Mar, California. She was 84 and had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. She was born Jean Gordon Murray in Toronto, Ontario on February 12, 1930 to parents Gilbert Mackintosh Murray and Marion Kathleen (Fensom) Murray, who were both Ontario natives, as well. Jean graduated from Lawrence Park Collegiate High School in Toronto in 1949 and received her Bachelor of Arts and Teaching Credential at Victoria College, University of Toronto in 1952. After graduation, she worked for Air Canada in reservations and was a grade school teacher in Don Mills, Ontario. She married her high school sweetheart, Ian Douglas "Doug" Campbell in Toronto on May 14, 1954. This launched her next career as a wife and a mother to three children: Tanis, Rob and Elizabeth. Her husband's job with the Coleman Companies took the family from Toronto to Wichita, back to Toronto, then to Paris, France and finally on to Corona del Mar in 1975, when Doug was made president of Hobie Cat Corp. As her children grew older, Jean enrolled at Orange Coast College and received a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, and she later earned her California Certified Nursery Professional designation. She consulted with many local homeowners and worked at Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach, where she was known as the "Plant Doctor". She was a member of the Balboa Yacht Club, Newport Ocean Sailing Association, Sherman Library and Gardens and the Little Garden Club of Newport Beach, where she was past president and the group's "poet". She proudly became a U.S. citizen on June 21, 1985. She enjoyed her "Beachwalkers" group and traveling the globe with Doug for both pleasure and for sailing regattas, but she was happiest working in her garden and spending time with her family and many friends. She threw the best dinner parties and was always a favorite guest at others'. Jean possessed an easy going grace and always brought out the best in others. Jean will be sorely missed and well-remembered by those she left behind: her husband of 60 years, Doug Campbell; her small but mighty Teacup French Poodle, Duc, who was curled up by her side until the end; her children (and their spouses): Tanis Campbell, Robert Campbell (Christine) and Elizabeth Hunsaker (Dave). She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, a great grandson and many other family members, still living in the Toronto area, with whom she remained close. She was predeceased by her loving sister, Mary Katherine Murray Hill, in August 2013. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting some, instead! Or, consider an extra gift to your favorite charity. If you prefer, you can also make a gift to Jean's favorite charity, which gave us the gift of four extra years of her life: Hoag Hospital Foundation, Jean Campbell Memorial www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org/donations