Jean Margaret Campbell
- Published: May 29, 2014
Jean Campbell
Jean Campbell
Jean Margaret Campbell died peacefully at Friends Care Community with family at her side on May 18, just six months shy of her 100th birthday. She was born Nov. 28, 1914, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to parents who ultimately lost custody of their baby girl. The American Humane Society, which oversaw animals and children at that time, removed her after repeated complaints by neighbors. She was then adopted and raised lovingly by Bess and Swayne Hayward in Lakewood, Ohio.
Jean attended Antioch College for three fun-filled years, and then remained there to work in the college offices. After renting a room in the home of Jesse and Helen Campbell, she met their handsome, blonde-haired, tennis playing son, Kenny, whom she later married. Once her children were raised, she returned to work in the Admissions Office at Antioch until she retired in 1981.
Jean was a copious note-taker, and many of these little tidbits have been found among her things. If she talked with you and you mentioned that you didn’t like green peppers, she came home and jotted that down with your name and the date. If you said you didn’t like ice in your water at restaurants, or got sick from eating too much monosodium glutamate, or which day you ate at the Clifton Mill, or when and how you pulled a ligament, she even jotted that down, too!
She was a faithful member of the Yellow Springs United Methodist Church and the Yellow Springs Historical Society. She was a very generous supporter of a number of charities and causes. She and Kenny loved to travel and took many road trips until his unexpected death in 1999. She was a loving and devoted mother who saw to it that her family sat down at the dining room table for a home-cooked dinner every night. She loved music, playing the piano, singing her favorite songs and dancing. She always loved animals, chocolate, lots of real butter, eating out, coffee, cutting coupons and playing bridge with her friends.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Kenneth Campbell. She is survived by her son, Allen, who lovingly sat by her side every day once she began residing full time at Friends Care, and daughter Carol (Norman) Pao of Celebration, Fla. She is also survived by her two granddaughters, Jamie (John) Brian and Lindsay (Nick) Nowell, and her three great-grandsons, Lucas Nowell, Britton Brian and Bowen Brian, all of Tampa, Fla.
Jean’s eyesight, hearing and body were failing, but her strength and spirit helped her endure these last few years. The family would like to thank Kim Wilcoxon’s staff, Heart to Home, Friends Care Center and Vitas Hospice Care for their help and patience when Jean most needed it. At Jean’s request, no funeral service will be held, just a private graveside ceremony. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting http://www.jacksonlytle.com.
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