Margaret Jean Loeper

Margaret Jean Loeper, 89, formerly of Reading, passed away Sunday, November 26, 2023, in the care of Country Meadows. She was the loving widow of John "Chick" E. Loeper, who passed away on January 13, 2021. Born in Reading, Jean was a daughter of the late Irvin W. and Margaret (Hallowell) Henry. Jean graduated from Central Catholic in 1952 and soon married her sweetheart, Chick. They met when he asked her to be his prom date. During their 65 wonderful years of marriage, they gave their family a legacy of love. Jean loved to dance and jitterbug with her husband, especially to "Sweet Caroline." Her first job was with Bell Telephone where she worked as a public office representative from 1952 to 1956 when she left the workforce to raise a family. She was a deeply devoted wife and mother who volunteered countless hours with the St. Joseph School's Mothers' Club. She served as the Mother's Club President from 1964-66 and from 1978-80. Even after her children were no longer students, she served as a board member for the Central Catholic High School Mothers' Club. After her children were grown, she started a career as a school secretary. She served many years with Reading School District and with Central Catholic High School and retired in 1998 from Reading. Jean's Catholic faith was extremely important to her, and she joined St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church upon her marriage. She served as lector and as a Eucharistic Minister. During her later years she volunteered in the gift shop of St. Joseph's Hospital. From the time she was a little girl, Jean treasured family vacations to Stone Harbor, NJ, a tradition she passed on to her children, grandchildren, and all who were blessed to join her family. Jean's memory will be forever cherished by her children: Kathleen A., wife of Jonathan F. Tobias, CAPT, USN (Ret.), of Williamsburg, VA; Steven J., husband of Beth A. Loeper, of Boston, MA; and John H., husband of Jennifer K. Loeper, of Coatesville, PA; her grandchildren: Lauren E., wife of Spencer Custis; Megan K., wife of James Zolty; Dean S. Loeper; Meredith L. Tobias; Nicholas E. Loeper; Jack D. Loeper; and Penelope G. Loeper; and her great grandchildren, Stella and Kate Custis and Maddie and Peter Zolty. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her great grandson, Henry Custis, and her sister, Mary Jane Hill. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be offered to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church at the address below, or to the American Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 1018 N 8th St., Reading, PA 19604, with burial following at Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to call Friday, December 15, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611. Condolences may be expressed at KuhnFuneralHomes.com.