Jean Helen Wing

Jean was born in Wisconsin Rapids, WI on December 23,1931 to Nels and Nellie Johnson. She was 10 years old when her family moved to Fairview Oregon during World War II so her father could find a government job. Jean attended Fairview grade school for 7th and 8th grade. The summer of 7th grade she started picking berries to earn money for her school clothes. In 8th grade she started roller skating. A bus would take them every Friday night to Oaks Park until Gresham built a skating rink where she skated every weekend. Jean graduated from the Girls Polytechnic High School, during her senior year she started working at the restaurant inside Meier & Frank in downtown Portland, she continued to work there until her first child was born in 1952. She was active in sports and enjoyed bowling and golf well into her retirement. Jean was also a cancer survivor and carried that strength and resilience with her throughout her life.
Jean met her husband Babe Wing on a blind date, they were married in February of 1951. They have 4 children; Gary Wing, Doug Wing, Teresa Severin and Allan Wing. They were married for 52 years when Babe died from Cancer in March 2003.
When they moved into their NE Portland home in November of 1956 the neighborhood women started a home extension group through OHSU.They would meet once a month to have a meeting and eat lunch together alternating going to each other's homes on the street, Jean was a member for over 50 years.
Throughout the 66 years they lived in this home it was the location of many memorable family gatherings, with up to 26 people attending at times.
When Jean and Babe decided to retire they became snowbirds. They purchased property in the foothills of Yuma, AZ. They would leave Portland when the temperature dropped in October and return with Spring in April. They really enjoyed the warm desert sun, while the rest of the family was up in Oregon dealing with the cold and wet winter weather.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Evelyn Zumwalt and her two brothers David and Doug Johnson.
Jean is survived by her loving family of 4 children, 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in Jeans name to American Cancer Society or the Dementia Society of America.
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