Elsie Jean Reese

Jean Boyd Reese of Atlanta, Georgia died March 4, 2017 at 88 years old, surrounded by family at Hospice Center of Atlanta. She was born April 9, 1928 to Erma and Otis Boyd of Alabama, then Atlanta. Jean was the eldest of three children, and was predeceased by her brother, A.C. Boyd and her sister, Betty Thrash. She was a talented pianist and artist, poet, teacher and potter. She attended the High Museum School of Art in Atlanta, where she met her future husband, David Reese, who was an instructor at the school. They were married on July 25, 1947, and in 1953 moved to Savannah, where David became the Director of the Telfair Museum. Jean and David had three daughters, Karen, Valerie and Leslie. In 1964 the family moved to Winter Park, Florida where David became the Director of the Loch Haven Art Center, which later became the Orlando Art Museum. There Jean was involved in community work; in particular, the docent program at the museum.

Jean developed a strong interest in mental health and wellness. She became an Occupational Therapist at Orange Memorial Hospital, and began to study mental health and bodywork practices in earnest. She studied at the Gestalt Institute in California and was on the cutting edge of massage therapy as a health practice. She divorced in 1975. In 1980 she opened the Reese Institute for Massage Therapy in Oviedo, Florida, a school of 150 students and a beautifully landscaped campus, which she designed and developed herself. She won several awards for her achievements. The school was one of Jean’s greatest accomplishments, and one of which she was very proud.

Jean retired and in 2001 moved to Santeetlah, North Carolina to live with family. She took great pleasure in building a home and gardening with her daughter, Karen and her son-in-law, Bill.

When her health declined she moved back to Atlanta. She had many friends at Atria Assisted Living Facility in Buckhead, and took great pleasure in being with her family, including two great grandchildren. She continued to draw and enjoy art and natural beauty until her last days.

Jean is survived by daughter Karen Tunnell and son-in-law William Tunnell of Atlanta and their children Dylan Tunnell and his wife Amanda and their children (Jean’s grandchildren) Eleanor and Romona, and Leila Tunnell of Amherst, Massachusetts, by her daughter Valerie Reese of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and daughter Leslie Brown and son-in-law, Sandy Brown of Boulder, Colorado and their three children, Elizabeth, Alexander and Georgia.

Jean will long be remembered and loved by many. She was a true visionary, and showed us much about beauty and joy and optimism. She was never afraid to take a risk for something she believed in. She was bold of spirit and courageous beyond measure.