Jean LeMunyan Collet

Jean LeMunyan Collet Jean LeMunyan Collet died peacefully on Sept. 10th, surrounded by her family. She was born on Sept. 18, 1915, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Pearl Eugenia Fidler LeMunyan of Romulus, N.Y., a painter, and Burdette LeMunyan of Addidson, N.Y., a lawyer. Jean grew up on the Isle of Man. She started painting as a child and later studied art at the Slade School of Fine Arts, University College, London, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Jean married David Collet, an Englishman, in 1934 and lived in Plymouth and London and in Derry, Northern Ireland, throughout World War II. In 1947, Jean and David moved with three children, to a farm in Phoenix, Ariz. There they had two more children. David, a businessman and an unwavering admirer and supporter of Jean's work, died in 1984 in Scottsdale, Ariz. In 2003, Jean moved to California to live with her daughter, Serena, and her family. Jean was creative throughout her life, working in collage, acrylic, watercolor, puppets, fabric, banners and costumes. She exhibited in Scottsdale and Phoenix. Her radiant creations reflect her deep love for her family, nature, architecture and travel. This love brought her to work for peace and social justice, and she contributed her talents over many decades to her church, Scouts, Beyond War, Witness for Peace, the Interfaith Committee on Central America and the Arizona Institute for Peace, Education and Research of Tempe. She loved giving dinner parties, having people to stay, picnics and travel. She had a large circle of friends and relations in the United States and abroad. Jean had a keen interest in history and the wonders of nature and a special love for flowers. She filled many sketchbooks and journals on her travels. Jean Collet is survived by her sister, Barbara Kurz of Providence, R.I.; four children, Ben Collet of Seattle, Wash., Miranda Collet of Casabermeja, Spain, Serena Collet Murray of San Jose, Calif., and Christian Collet of Sebastopol, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Maria Coppelia Santander Bishop of San Jose, Felipe Morgan Santander of Savannah, Ga., Adam Collet of Seattle, Miles Adrian Collet Murray and Fiona Eleanor Collet Murray of San Jose, Sebastian Adams Collet, Tobias Dylan Angus Collet and Emily Rose Collet of Sebastopol; and three great grandchildren, Marley Alexander Bishop of San Jose, Amelia Iris Collet of Sebastopol and Francisco Mateo Santander of Savannah; two nieces, Stella Ormai Flinn of Providence, R.I. and Christina Ormai Osborne of Pawtuckett, R.I., one nephew, Ted Ormai of Kutztown, Penn.; and a cousin, Robert Fidler of Rock Hill, N.Y. Another son, Paul LeMunyan Collet, died in 2003. Another granddaughter, Madeline Rose Collet, died in 1984. And another nephew, Felix Ormai, died in 1969. She is also survived by her loving son-in-law, James V. Murray, and grandson-in-law, Cliff Bishop, both of San Jose; her daughter-in-law, Kim Collet of Sebastopol, and two granddaughters-in-law, Christine Collet of Seattle and Andrea Martinez of Savannah. A memorial service is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Stone Church of Willow Glen, San Jose. Donations in her memory can be made to Doctors Without Borders, 2525 Main St. Suite 110, Santa Monica, Calif. 90405.

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