Jeanette Edwina Demko

Jeanette Edwina Demko, born in Philadelphia on July 8, 1935, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2025. A lifelong educator, Jeanette devoted over 45 years to shaping young minds, beginning as a third and fourth-grade teacher before discovering her true passion in early childhood education.
While studying at West Chester State Teachers College, she met her beloved husband, George Demko, with whom she built a life filled with adventure, service, and unwavering commitment to family and community. Their journey took them to Moscow from 1961 to 1962, a unique experience that enriched their perspectives.
In 1964, they settled in Worthington, Ohio, where they lived until 1984, later moving to Reston, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, as George served at the State Department. In 1990, they relocated to Grantham, New Hampshire, where Jeanette worked at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Children Center, continuing her lifelong commitment to early childhood development.
In 2010, they moved to Chesapeake, Virginia, where Jeanette dedicated herself to caring for George after suffering a debilitating stroke until his passing in 2014. Faced with her own diagnosis of breast cancer in 2018, Jeanette became deeply involved with breast cancer support groups, including BraHaHa and Totally Pink. She embraced life with resilience and joy, even gracing the runway for BraHaHa's annual decorate a bra fundraising event multiple years in a row, proving that strength and beauty go hand in hand.
Jeanette and George shared a love for travel that took them across the world, exploring Europe and Asia, immersing themselves in different cultures and experiences that broadened their perspectives. Their adventurous spirit was a testament to their curiosity and appreciation for the world around them.
Jeanette was a woman of wisdom, kindness, and unwavering dedication-a devoted wife, mother, teacher, and advocate. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, the students she inspired, and the community she strengthened.
She is survived by her two daughters, Megan Kay (Gordon Kay) and Kerstin Demko (Greg Duncan), and her grandchildren-Kenneth, Collin, and Erik Houck, and Nikolas and Nathan Duncan and Gabriela and Julia Kay who carry forward her legacy of love and learning.
She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that you please make a donation to St Jude. Stjude.org To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeanette, please visit our floral store.