Jean Anstine

Jean B. Anstine, age 73, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 29, 2018. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Jack and Ragnhild Bascik. She lived in the western suburbs of Philadelphia for many years and at Jonathan’s Landing in Jupiter, Florida, from 2000 until her passing. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Byron L. (Barry) Anstine, their three children—Amy Weist (David), of Marblehead, Massachusetts, Jonathan (Stephanie), of Wayne, Pennsylvania, and Byron, Jr. (Melissa), of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania—their six grandchildren (Graham and Ian Weist, Kaitlin and Will Anstine, and Charlotte and Henry Anstine), and her brother, James Bacsik (Kathy), of Melbourne, Florida, and her sister Deborah Lund (John), of Severna Park, Maryland. Jean was predeceased by her cousin, Dennis Domin, who was raised by her parents as though he were her brother and is survived by his wife, Nikki. Jean and Barry met as teenagers in York, Pennsylvania, when her family moved from Illinois and just happened to build a new home across the street from Barry’s. After Jean graduated from Pennsylvania State University and Barry from the University of Pennsylvania, they married on December 29, 1965, and began their remarkable life together in Philadelphia. Jean was a proud mother and was delighted to watch each of her children start families of their own. She always enjoyed playing with and caring for her grandchildren, and they all adored her. Because of her Swedish heritage, they called her MorMor, Swedish for “Grandma.” She loved her family with complete devotion and leaves her grandchildren as glowing examples of that love and commitment. Jean grew up near Lake Michigan and enjoyed being on the water sailing her family’s boat. She taught Barry to sail, and they often competed in regattas on the Chesapeake Bay before their children arrived. She gardened with true passion, played golf with Barry and her regular crew, and always looked forward to bridge with her Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters and her many friends at Waynesborough Country Club in Pennsylvania and Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club in Florida. Jean was also quite skilled at table tennis, and until recently none of the grandchildren (several of whom are good players themselves) could return her wicked backhand shots. She loved shopping for bargains and frequently could be found at Costco, Walmart or Dollar Tree. Her collection of loyalty cards filled a whole compartment in her handbag, and she used them like a pro. All who knew her thought Jean was an incredible, caring and generous person. For all the love she received from others, she gave more. She was a volunteer tutor at the Edna Runner Tutorial Center in Jupiter, worked tirelessly as a board member of JL Cares (a charity that supports worthy causes and needy families), and for many years was on the board of CASA in Pennsylvania (Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused or neglected children). Jean did so many things for others that it is difficult to recount them all. But just the thought of one special moment with her leads to another, and another, and another. She was our Jean and will be forever remembered and forever in our hearts. There will be celebrations of Jean’s life in both Florida and in Pennsylvania during the spring, when the flowers will bloom to remind us of her love of gardening and her undying spirit. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you honor her memory with a donation to JL Cares at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club, 16823 Capt. Kirle Drive, Jupiter, FL 33477.