Jean Elizabeth Fager

Fager, Jean Elizabeth POWAY -- Jean Elizabeth (McGinty) Fager passed away April 24, 2015, at age 86, at Belmont Village Sabre Springs, due to complications of Alzheimer's. Jean was born and raised in the Bronx New York. She graduated from Aquinas Catholic High School. Her cousin set her up on a blind date with John Fager, a soldier who had returned from the war and was attending Manhattan College. John and Jean were married in June, 1951. In 1959 they moved to San Diego. With three young children, and Jean pregnant with their fourth child, they packed up the Plymouth station wagon and traveled across the country. They settled in the Clairemont/Bay Park area of San Diego. Jean was an active member of St. Mary Magdalene Parish for over 45 years. She participated in almost every activity, club and group with the church and school. She spent her Sundays delivering communion to the ill and elderly. Jean also volunteered at Sharp Hospital. The family spent their summers camping at National Parks. There are many family tales of being caught in floods, cornered by bears and Jean boiling diapers over a campfire. John and Jean traveled the world. Jean said many times that her life was bigger and more adventurous than she ever dreamed it would be. John and Jean celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before his passing in 2001. In 2005, Jean moved to Poway to be closer to her daughter Barbara. She became a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and made new friends in the neighborhood. Jean dedicated her life to service of her family, her dear friends and her church. She loved caring for her husband, children, grandchildren, garden and home. She is survived by her five children, Michael Fager, Pat Fager, Barbara Fager, Kathy Ashton, Bernadette Garzone, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass scheduled at St. Michael's, 15546 Pomerado Road, Poway, Friday, May 1, 2015, at 1 p.m. Contributions in Jean's name may be made to San Diego County Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org/sandiego/