Nora Lydia Jean

Nora Lydia Jean, age 88, passed on Friday August 12, 2011 at River Garden Hebrew Home in Jacksonville, Florida. She was a loving wife, mother, aunt, friend, and a genuinely kind human being who loved the arts, and especially proud of becoming a citizen of her adopted country of America.

Nora was the daughter of Miguel and Victoria (Tello) Gonzales born March 27, 1923 in Miraflores, Peru S.A. She married Dr. Thomas A. Jean on February 14, 1944 in Lima, Peru while he was a pilot for Panagra Airlines.

After their marriage, they returned to Indiana which allowed her husband to complete his medical degree at Indiana University Medical School. Upon graduation in 1952, they settled in Morristown, IN where he established his practice and remained there until his death in 1986. After the death of her husband, she moved to Washington D.C. to live near her sisters Gladys and Elia. They all enjoyed entertaining and the rich social life in Washington, attending many Peruvian embassy parties that her new lifestyle entailed. Nora loved to go antique shopping, auctions and she had a remarkable collection of “objets d’art” from around the world. She especially enjoyed finding diamonds in the rough and restoring them to beauty. Lastly, she moved to Florida near her son in Atlantic Beach, FL where she lived independently until her failing health required her to move to River Garden Hebrew Home where she passed away.

Nora is survived by her five sons: Michael (Robin) Jean of Concord, MA; John (Elizabeth) Fergus-Jean of Columbus, OH; Richard (Cindy) Jean of Atlantic Beach, FL; James (Claudia) Jean of Holliston, MA; Douglas (Ruth) Jean of Indianapolis, IN.; her twelve grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and by her sister Elia McGarvey of Washington D.C.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, and one brother.

Nora will be buried next to her husband at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown, IN in a private family service; the date of the services is yet to be determined.

A Dignified Alternative-Hatcher Cremations (904) 260-2522