Obituary of Jean M. Rich

Jean M. Rich, 100, formerly of 432 South Ave. in Jamestown, passed away Sunday evening, March 31, 2024, one day prior to her 101st birthday. A Jamestown native since 1951, she was born April 1, 1923 to the late George H. and Lucy Blodgett Munger in Stockton, NY. A graduate of Cassadaga High School and Houghton College, Jean complete graduate work at SUNY Geneseo and St. Bonaventure University. She was then a librarian and High School English teacher in Panama and Cattaraugus Central Schools. Her friendship with "her seniors" for whom she was faculty advisor was a lifetime treasure. Following her marriage to Roger E. Rich of Cattaraugus in Stockton Federated Church June 30, 1951 by the Rev. Clair Heitzenrater, she served as librarian in Bemus Point, Frewsburg, and Jamestown schools, retiring from Falconer Elementary School in June of 1983. Jean was an active member of the former Epworth Christ United Methodist Church and Christ First United Methodist Church where she participated in the local and district United Methodist Women and served on the Scholarship Committee. She also belonged to the Retired Teachers' Assoc. and DAR. She enjoyed her children and grandchildren; her travels to Alaska, Norway, England and Europe; extensive camping in both the United States and Canada; and doing handwork. Besides her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Roger E. Rich on Oct. 18, 2007; and twin granddaughters, Sarah Elizabeth and Linnea Elise Johnson in Dec. 1981. Surviving are two daughters, Nancy (Bruce) Johnson of Jamestown, and Sharon (Charles) Peterson of Chicago, IL; nine grandchildren: Seth (Cindy) Johnson of Olean, Anneli Johnson of Nashville, TN, Cael (Kristin) Johnson of E. Aurora, Asa (Alexis) Johnson of Nashville, Thaddeus Johnson of Boulder, CO, Tage (Alyssa) Johnson of Tonawanda, Kiah (Lyal) Nelson of Jamestown, Stina (John) Dufour of Chicago, and Kaj (Hannah Joy Root) Peterson of San Francisco; as well as five great-grandchildren: Landon, Micah and Quinlan Johnson of Olean, and Elizabeth and Joshua Dufour of Chicago. Jean's family wishes to thank everyone at Heritage Park for their wonderful care. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in Zion Covenant Church. Friends will be received from noon to 1 p.m. prior to the service in the church Thursday. Burial will be in Stockton's Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.