Jean Eileen Gross Thayer Nov. 9, 1927 - June 6, 2012

Jean was the only child born to Elsie Elizabeth McMaster and Walter Earl Gross, in New Castle, PA. She grew up in New Castle and earned a radio engineering degree at University of Minnesota before working for the New Castle News, where she met John Treadwell Thayer, the love of her life.

John and Jean were secretly married on New Year’s Day in 1952 while John was in flight school for the U.S. Air Force. Their first child, Lucy Elizabeth, was born Sept. 13, 1952 in Oklahoma City, OK, and Barbara Jean followed in December 2, 1953, born in Lake Charles, LA. Their third child, John Treadwell was born in Kokomo, IN on February 1, 1963.

Jean was a devoted wife and mother, who also became an avid golfer. She said she took up golf in order to see John more, but she grew to love the sport just as much as he did. They enjoyed 24 years of Air Force life together and 32 years of retirement together, spending their time between Laguna Beach and Riverside, when not on a trip that usually involved playing various golf courses.

Jean attended Calvary Presbyterian Church, was a long time member of the Riverside Art Alliance, and was a member with John at the Victoria Club.

She is survived by her three children and their partners (Les Yother, Charles Bacon), six grandchildren (Alex, Thayer and Spencer Morrill, Sam Bacon, Shelby and Delaney Thayer) and one great-grandchild, Elizabeth Jane Morrill.

A service will be held at Preston and Simons Colonial Chapel Wed, 6/13/2012 at 2:00PM. Jean will be interred in a private family service at Riverside National Cemetery with the love of her life, John. They are together again. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in her name to the Cancer Research Society, and research on women’s heart disease. Preston & Simons Mortuary, Funeral Directors 951-683-7410.

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Filed under Obituaries, News A3

Monday, June 11, 2012

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