Jean L. Coria

I had the honor of being Jean´s Salvia growing assistant for ten years at Strybing (aka SF Botanic Gardens). Happening upon this obit 15 years later.... Every time I see a Salvia "Hotlips" - which she named to the chagrin of certain serious persons - I remember you with a smile. That´s Jean in a nutshell, for me: sticking it to the Man :^) Love you Jean; miss working in your garden for egg salad sandwiches Jonathan Oppenheimer

So sad to learn (belatedly) that my friend Jean has left the Arboretum for bluer skies. But I think "Jean's Purple Passion," the salvia named for her, is a fitting honor for this great dame who was so passionate about the many varied sage. I volunteered with Jean every Saturday for about 3 years at Strybing and learned a great deal from her about salvias and keeping a sense of humor in the face of the challenges women face in this life. She spoke of you often, Davo, and was very proud of you....

Paula and Jim Faris met Jean through Jane Burroughs. One thing we remember Jean telling us was when she was in college studying architecture, if she failed a math class she would be dropped from the program. If a male student failed the same class he could take it again. Jean met the challenge and passed and became a practicing architect. She was undaunted by obstacles. She met challenges without rancor or fear and was an accomplished lady with many talents and interests. We are both thankful...

Jean, we will miss you! We first knew you as our friend's mom, but you soon became like a member of our own family. You were always warm, inviting, casual, and fun. Your energy and enthusiasm for life, as well as your pioneering spirit as a professional career woman (at a time when there weren't many!) made you an inspiration to our daughters.

Dear, dear Jean ... oh, she is a feisty gal ... not much can get her down. She is warm and tender, especially when speaking of family. Although I only worked with her under two years, she tutored me in the way of salvias (insisting on picking me up every Saturday at 9am sharp). It doesn't seem possible that she's gone from this realm, but only having yet another procedure from which she will surely recover in record time. I remember my first impression of her was that she had beautiful...

Ours was a long friendship with so many good times together in San Francisco; with our beloved Jano there, in Tahoe, Los Angeles and the Aegean countries; and then in New England, Oaxaca and Key West with others.
Jean was a supportive, accepting and loyal friend and knowing her has enriched my life enormously. There was never a physical challenge she didn't meet head-on and conquer, until the last. The way she won her battles is an example of the power of humor and stoicism. Adiocito, Jean!