Jean Cahoon

CAHOON, JEAN WILLIAMSON 1923-2014 - Jean died peacefully at the age of ninety on January 13, 2014. She is survived by her two daughters and their spouses; Cathy and Niall Burnett, and Sarah and Jim Poindexter, and her grandson Nicolas Wade Poindexter. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years Herbert Ames Cahoon. Jean was born in 1923 in New Brunswick, New Jersey to Jeanette Voorhees Williamson and Isaac Williamson. She graduated from Princeton High School and from Rutgers University with a BA in English Literature. Jean married Herb in 1946 and they soon settled in New Haven, CT. when Herb accepted a position with Dwight Hall at Yale University. In the 1970s, Jean worked closely with her husband at Dwight Hall, devoting her time to placing Yale students as Volunteers in New Haven Schools. She was a great advocate for local schools and encouraged Yale students to make a contribution. She worked in the administration offices at Yale, with the Woodbridge Board of Education, and for The Democratic Party at both the state and on the national level. Jean was an exceptionally devoted mother who continually shared her love for English literature, theater and dance with her daughters. She was generous to people in need of a bed, a meal, or conversation. Jean was an incredible listener and, once told, never forgot a person’s life story. She was a biographer for all who knew her. Jean taught all who shared time with her to live fully, celebrate joy, and never settle. Jean was very grateful for the kindness and professional care of Toni Thompson and her staff at Companions In Care who helped her to continue to enjoy her interests and passions and fully experience the last years of her life.