Jean Elisabeth Torcom

Jean Elisabeth Torcom

June 2, 2025

Sacramento, California - It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jean Elisabeth Torcom, who died at home on June 2, 2025, at age 82. Jean was born on August 7, 1942, in Chicago, Il. After high school, she attended Colorado College where she developed a love of public affairs and became active in politics. In her senior year, she served as president of the Associated Women Students at the independent liberal arts college. She also served as president of the Colorado Chapter of the Young Republicans and spent two summers working in the office of Illinois Republican Senator Everett Dirksen. Jean was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and graduated in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in political science. Her interest in public affairs led her to pursue graduate work in political science at Johns Hopkins University where she would receive an MA Degree in 1966 and a PhD in 1973.

While working on her doctoral dissertation, Jean took a staff position in Senator Dirksen's office, who at that time was Republican minority leader. She developed a strong affection for the charismatic Republican, even though her politics were shifting to the left. Jean remained a Dirksen staffer until 1970 when she received an offer to teach political science in the Government Department at Sacramento State University. Moving to Sacramento, she went on to become a full professor and serve as the Department Chair from 1985 to 1998. She became active in the Democratic Party.

During her career at Sacramento State, in addition to teaching and chairing, Jean served as Director of the university's Liberal Studies Program. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Sacramento State Retirees Association and Friends of the Library. Ever the innovator, Jean was instrumental in establishing the Master's Degree Program in Public Policy as well as the Center for California Studies Program, which provided students in the California State University system interested in the policy making process an immersive internship experience at the California State Capitol. The Sacramento Semester program brought notable distinction to the university. Jean frequently hosted internship students at her home where she would put her culinary talents on display.

Jean will be remembered by her wide circle of friends and family as a kind, compassionate, humorous, and gentle spirit who was extremely generous providing financial assistance to family and friends and to charitable causes dedicated to serving people in need. These included Planned Parenthood, Loaves and Fishes, and Vida Verde Nature Education that helps students from historically marginalized communities. She also supported the Friends of the Library at Sacramento State.

Jean enjoyed simple pleasures. In her life away from the university, she travelled widely and was particularly fond of wine touring in the Napa and Russian River Valley areas. She hosted many dinners in her home where good wine was served, and engaging conversation and laughter filled the evening.

Jean Torcom was a person of strong moral character. Always honest and straightforward in her personal interactions, she did not suffer fools gladly. Jean despised phoniness. With her inquisitive mind, commitment to truth, and famous feistiness, Jean often pressed people to explain the reasoning behind their opinions. Ever the teacher, she pushed people to think again about what they believed was true. At the same time, possessed of a generosity of spirit, she welcomed diversity of thought. Modest and unassuming, Jean never boasted about her accomplishments. She wanted her legacy to be that of a good citizen who lived her life according to heartfelt values that celebrated social justice, economic equity, compassionate government, and universal human rights. As her friends can attest, she never wavered from this commitment.

Jean was preceded in death by her sister Wendy Wallen. She is survived by her niece, Kristina Wallen, Eichhorst cousins Kathy, Bob and wife Georgina, John, Taylor and Kate. In lieu of a memorial service, Jean preferred a small gathering among family and close friends at one of her favorite venues. We ask that tributes to Jean's life take the form of contributions in her name to charitable organizations that support less fortunate people. Jean was partial to Planned Parenthood and Loaves and Fishes.