Jean Ella "Firth" Lay

Jean Ella (Firth) Lay, age 88, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at her home with family by her side. She was born December 16, 1937, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of the late Clifford and Hilma Firth. Jean was a long-time secretary with the Wilmington City Schools, and a member of the Wilmington Presbyterian Church. In her spare time, she loved to garden and fish. More than anything, she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed. Jean is survived by daughters, Teri (Tony) Stern of Wilmington, and Shari Van Pelt of Wilmington; son Darren (Shannon) Lay of Wilmington; grandchildren, Travis Stern of Wilmington, Megan (Adam) Shultz of Wilmington, Zachary (Kelly) Stern of Milford, Ohio, Ben (James) Van Pelt of Lebanon, Ohio, Nick (Lizzy) Van Pelt of Delaware, Ohio, and Shandra Hamilton of Michigan; great grandchildren, Lilly Stern, Lexi Stern, and Violet Shultz; and the many friends she made throughout her life. In addition to her parents, Jean is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Wilbur T. Lay; sister Vivian Sawyer; brother Jack Firth; and special friend George F. Bush. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, 840 Timer Glen Avenue, Wilmington, Ohio 45177. Pastor Jay Kim will officiate. Burial will follow in the Clinton Memory Garden, Wilmington. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Presbyterian Church of Wilmington. Brown Funeral Home, Wilmington, is assisting the family. To leave an on-line condolence, please visit www.arehart-brown.com, or see our Facebook page, Brown Funeral Home.