Jean Christine St. Leger-Barter

Jean Christine "Chris" (née Miller), 96, of Santa Cruz, California, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025 at Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz.

Chris was born on May 8, 1929, to Agnes and Nicholas Miller in Highland Park, Illinois, where she grew up on the north shore of Chicago. She graduated from Highland Park High School as Valedictorian. She attended the Illinois Institute of Technology for two years while working part-time as a telephone switchboard operator, asking "number please" more times than she could count per shift. She transferred to and graduate from the University of Cincinnati in 1953 with a degree in Industrial Management – a first for a woman in the United States.

While attending the University of Cincinnati, Chris met Gerald St. Leger-Barter, also a student at the University of Cincinnati. Gerald was in the ROTC program there and needed a date for a ROTC dance. They were set up on a blind date by college mates; Gerald convinced his half-brother to dress up as his chauffeur and drive his Studebaker to impress her upon meeting. He came back from the date saying "she was the most intelligent woman I've ever met." They were married on May 8 (her birthday), 1953 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Gerald was stationed in the U.S. Army Ordinance Division, Los Alamos.

They moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 1955 where their two children were born, Stanley George and Laura Jean. In 1959, they moved to Livermore, California, where Gerald worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Chris stayed active in AAUW, the League of Women Voters, the Livermore Symphony and several bridge groups while raising two rambunctious, future engineers, both active in 4H and living on a 100 acre Victorian estate built in 1885 which was a wonderland to be able to live in, but also needed constant repairs and caretaking of the horses, cows, sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits, cats, dogs and bees they raised there.

Chris went back to school to obtain her teaching credential from San Jose State University. In 1974, she and Gerald moved "over the hill" to Tracy, California. She began teaching Business skills at Woodruff Regional Occupational Center in Stockton, California, where she ultimately retired from in 1987.

Gerald being a private pilot, the couple were active in the Bonanza Vagabonds and traveled throughout the west, Alaska and southwest via their airplane.

They moved to Spokane, Washington for the first 2 years of retirement before moving to Carson City, Nevada in 1995. They purchased a large motorhome and became active in several RV groups making monthly trips until Gerald passed in 2010. Chris remained in Carson City until she moved to Dominican Oaks, Santa Cruz, in 2019.

Chris was active in several philanthropic organizations: Delta Zeta sorority at both the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Cincinnati, AAUW, League of Women Voters, the Livermore Symphony, Carson City Veterans, American Legion and Northern Nevada All-Veteran Honor Guard. Like her parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and sister, Chris was an avid card player, bridge being her favorite. She was in innumerable groups playing with friends and family, and played right up until the end.

Chris is survived by her son Stanley George (wife Kathy) St. Leger-Barter of Scotts Valley, CA, Laura Jean St. Leger-Barter of Sonoma, CA, her grandchildren Kyle (wife Jessica) St. Leger-Barter of Ben Lomond, Julie St. Leger-Barter of Santa Cruz, CA, Maeve Christine Kerins of Portland, OR, and Carson St. Leger Kerins of Sonoma, CA, and her great grandchildren Skye and Sage St. Leger-Barter of Ben Lommond, CA. She was predeceased by her husband Gerald, and her sister Patricia Mary Zahnle (whom we're sure they have already resumed playing bridge together now).

Interment will be at Lone Mountain Cemetery 1044 Beverly Dr, Carson City, Nevada, on October 30, 2025, by her husband Gerald.