Obituary of Jean V. Stowell

Jean V. Stowell, 80, formerly of Jamestown and Bemus Point, ended her long battle with cancer on Friday (Aug. 21, 2009) when she passed away quietly in her home, 123 Deerhurst Lane, Webster, N.Y. Born Sept. 29, 1928, in Jamestown, she was the widow of Carl J. Stowell and was also predeceased by her father Glenn H. Vandewark, Sr.; her mother Vivian Anderson; her stepfather Herbert E. "Hub" Anderson; and her brother Glenn H. "Bud" Vandewark, Jr. Throughout her life, she loved the Lord and her family above all else-both gave her strength and great joy. She is survived by her brother Keith (Pat) Vandewark of Washington, Utah; her five children: Karen S. Olson of Rochester, N.Y.; Stephen C. (Deborah) Olson of Anadarko, Okla.; Lynette D. (Scott) Hendrickson of Maryville, Tenn.; Rebecca J. (David) Jollow of Webster, N.Y.; and Laurie V. (Brian) Bessey of Darien, Conn.; her three stepchildren: Timothy (Jan) Stowell and Stephanie (Harry) Kolb, both of Bemus Point, and Susanna (Dan) Rumberger of Sioux City, Iowa; and honorary daughter Cathy (Glenn) Raine of Webster, N.Y. Her family legacy also includes 19 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren. She loved them all and always surrounded herself with their photos. She was baptized and confirmed at Kidder United Brethren Church. She faithfully attended services and was active in several other churches in Jamestown and Webster as well. She was a 1946 graduate of Jamestown High School and later had enjoyed taking classes at Jamestown Community College. She was a homemaker for most of her life but also worked at Jamestown High School and North Shore Farmhouse in Bemus Point. Jean Stowell will be remembered for her love of books, sewing, African Violets, puzzles, genealogy, and a large collection of thimbles representing places her loved ones had lived in and traveled to. She will also be remembered for her ability to find great pleasure in seemingly small things. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Eldon H. Johnson, retired pastor, will officiate. Burial will be Monday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. in Maple Grove Cemetery, Frewsburg, N.Y. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Arthritis Foundation of Upstate New York, P.O. Box 1094, Amherst, NY 14228 or to the American Cancer Society, Memorial Processing Center, 6725 Lyons St., P.O. Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057.