Jeanne A. DeFoe

Jeanne A. Shriver, 83, passed away on October 6, 2025 after an extended
illness. She was born March 4, 1942 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Burgess and
Marie (Young) Shriver.
She attended Oklahoma State University, where she received both a B.A. in English and an
M.A. in English and American Literature. It was in an advanced drama class at OSU where she
met her husband of 60 years, Dr. Glenndale Mark DeFoe, Jr. In 1975, they moved to
Buckhannon, West Virginia where they lived for 48 years.
She was a loving mother to two daughters, Aimee (David Passmore) and Jennifer (Paul Silver).
She also had four grandchildren whom she adored beyond measure: Tiernan, Rhiannon,
Lukyan and Cora. She was a sister to Burgess Shriver II of Ames, IA and Dr. Susan (Shriver)
Barnes of Edmond, Oklahoma.
Jeanne was also an accomplished musician, and opened her piano studio in Buckhannon in
1981. She passed on her love of music to numerous piano students over a twenty-two year
teaching career, and had many students go on to pursue their own careers in music. She
learned to play the organ in later life, and served as organist at the First United Methodist
Church in Buckhannon for many years. In early 2025, she was honored as a Music Teachers'
National Association Foundation Fellow. She was also a dedicated accompanist for the
Buckhannon Choral Society for over a decade.
Throughout her life, Jeanne was an avid reader whose love of literature equaled her love of
music. She took great joy in her husband's beautiful flower garden and great care of many
beloved family pets.
A celebration of her life will be held in Buckhannon, WV in the coming months.