August 9, 2019
August 9, 2019
May she rest in peace! Jean was a dear friend.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Jean Hutton 87 years old , born on June 19, 1931 and passed away on February 1, 2019. We will miss you Mommy.
JEAN RAMEY HUTTON daughter of the late Dr. Royal Rogers Ramey and Leta Mae Hamilton Ramey of Sulphur Springs, Texas, died February 1 at the Episcopal Church Home in Louisville, Kentucky.The cause was complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.Jean was also preceded in death by her sisters Loubeth Hames and Mary Katharine Ramsey and her husband of 36 years, Charles W. Hutton.
Jean earned her undergraduate degree from Stephens College and earned graduate degrees from Marquette University and the New School for Social Research.She had a varied and rewarding career as a school librarian at the middle, high school and college levels.She retired in 1996 as the head of libraries at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina.
In 1950, Jean married Robert J. Reid.They divorced in 1972.Jean and Robert raised two daughters whom they adored, Anna Beth Reid and Catherine Reid Jirik (Peter) who survive her.The family moved frequently around the upper Midwest and finally to Wilmington, Delaware where the girls graduated from the Tatnall School where Jean was the librarian.Life during this period was hectic for Jean, but she always managed to be a fantastic Mom…throwing themed parties, making great costumes, taking the girls to the ballet, the opera, museums…and even less lofty and equally fun spots, as well as cooking VERY well balanced meals every day----all while working full time and picking up and moving every few years.
In 1975 Jean started on a new path, marrying Charles Hutton and moving around again, including both a stint as librarian at Drew University in Madison, NJ and a memorable winter in Fargo, North Dakota as Charles worked on university development.They eventually settled in Asheville, where they could bird to their heart’s content and live near the mountains they both adored.After Charles died in 2011, Jean moved to Louisville to be near her daughter Beth.
What do we fondly remember most about Jean? She was beloved by all she met and all the students she taught. She was also crazy about animals, especially her dogs and she passed that passion on to the next generations. She was a strong liberal who cared deeply about community, inclusion and equality in the world. We are sure she would be grateful that she never knew Trump was President.
In addition to Beth and Caty, Jean is survived by her granddaughter Ellen Beth Jirik (Diego Kaku); stepchildren Richard Hutton (John Cogswell), Christine Hutton and Charlotte DeBell (Lee); grandsons Scott (Wendy) and Ben (Jen) DeBell and great-grandchildren Drew, Brett, Matthew, Kennedy and Kathryn.
Jean’s family would like to thank Dr. Jane Cornett, as well as Paula Cates and her incredible staff of caregivers at the Episcopal Church Home who made Jean’s last years so peaceful and who treated her with such love.
A memorial service will be held in Asheville later in the Spring so that Jean’s ashes may be joined with Charles’ at Warren Wilson.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Jean’s memory to the Episcopal Church Home of Louisville, Kentucky or the Alzheimer’s Association.
https://www.episcopalretirement.com/episcopal-church-home-louisville/episcopal-church-home-foundation
https://www.alz.org/help-support
Tributes
Leave a tributeMay she rest in peace! Jean was a dear friend.
February 3, 2019
February 3, 2019
Dear Beth and Caty,
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Jean. We both have fond memories of Jean over many years. We remember visits by Jean to our home in Fort Collins, especially when Clayton and Molly were small. She loved to visit with Molly about what her reading materials should be at that tender age. After our marriage, and before kids, we visited Jean, Bob and you two in many venues including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Delaware. Jean was always a generous hostess and fun to be around. I vividly remember when I was in 8th grade and was prepped for attending Jean’s wedding in Sulfur Springs, Texas. What an adventure for me to go beyond the bounds of central Missouri. Since I was expected to wear a suit for the ceremony, it required a custom-made one since an off the rack wouldn’t fit my roller-polley physique. Much,much later we had the pleasure of visiting Jean in Asheville in the 1990’s. Jean obviously has had a very positive influence on her daughters, who are fabulous and delightful, and who we enjoy seeing whenever possible. With love, Pat and Mimi
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Jean. We both have fond memories of Jean over many years. We remember visits by Jean to our home in Fort Collins, especially when Clayton and Molly were small. She loved to visit with Molly about what her reading materials should be at that tender age. After our marriage, and before kids, we visited Jean, Bob and you two in many venues including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Delaware. Jean was always a generous hostess and fun to be around. I vividly remember when I was in 8th grade and was prepped for attending Jean’s wedding in Sulfur Springs, Texas. What an adventure for me to go beyond the bounds of central Missouri. Since I was expected to wear a suit for the ceremony, it required a custom-made one since an off the rack wouldn’t fit my roller-polley physique. Much,much later we had the pleasure of visiting Jean in Asheville in the 1990’s. Jean obviously has had a very positive influence on her daughters, who are fabulous and delightful, and who we enjoy seeing whenever possible. With love, Pat and Mimi
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
August 9, 2019
August 9, 2019
May she rest in peace! Jean was a dear friend.
February 3, 2019
February 3, 2019
Dear Beth and Caty,
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Jean. We both have fond memories of Jean over many years. We remember visits by Jean to our home in Fort Collins, especially when Clayton and Molly were small. She loved to visit with Molly about what her reading materials should be at that tender age. After our marriage, and before kids, we visited Jean, Bob and you two in many venues including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Delaware. Jean was always a generous hostess and fun to be around. I vividly remember when I was in 8th grade and was prepped for attending Jean’s wedding in Sulfur Springs, Texas. What an adventure for me to go beyond the bounds of central Missouri. Since I was expected to wear a suit for the ceremony, it required a custom-made one since an off the rack wouldn’t fit my roller-polley physique. Much,much later we had the pleasure of visiting Jean in Asheville in the 1990’s. Jean obviously has had a very positive influence on her daughters, who are fabulous and delightful, and who we enjoy seeing whenever possible. With love, Pat and Mimi
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Jean. We both have fond memories of Jean over many years. We remember visits by Jean to our home in Fort Collins, especially when Clayton and Molly were small. She loved to visit with Molly about what her reading materials should be at that tender age. After our marriage, and before kids, we visited Jean, Bob and you two in many venues including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Delaware. Jean was always a generous hostess and fun to be around. I vividly remember when I was in 8th grade and was prepped for attending Jean’s wedding in Sulfur Springs, Texas. What an adventure for me to go beyond the bounds of central Missouri. Since I was expected to wear a suit for the ceremony, it required a custom-made one since an off the rack wouldn’t fit my roller-polley physique. Much,much later we had the pleasure of visiting Jean in Asheville in the 1990’s. Jean obviously has had a very positive influence on her daughters, who are fabulous and delightful, and who we enjoy seeing whenever possible. With love, Pat and Mimi
Gallery
Recent stories
From Jean and Charles' friends Poul and Edna Scheibel from Denmark
April 16, 2019
by Beth Reid
We are very sorry to hear that Jean has passed away - unfortunately, we have missed being in contact with Jean for quite a few years - we suppose it might have been because of the Alsheimer. We surely miss both Jean and Charles and the few times we visited USA, we always took the time to visit them. As a matter of fact, we have never met such a nice couple. Edna and I joined a Ned Hermann seminar around 1982 and I
Was in the same group as Charles. After the seminar Charles invited us to visit them in Charlottesville. We found the Hutton Place - our car did not like the mountains very much and got hot - so I walked to the house, while Edna staid in the "boiling" car. Going to the Hutton House, the door opened and Jean came out(she did not attend the seminar and did not know me) she must have got quite a good description of me, because her first words were:"You must be Poul Scheibel from Denmark"!! She then called Charles - who attended a meeting over the mountains - drove back and gave us a big hug - and then returned back to his meeting. We were invited to stay in their house and they gave us their own bedroom, so we could listen to the "river" outside the window. We had some very lovely days together with them. Some years later, they visited us in Denmark, where we drove them to different places - Hans Christian Andersens House in Odense on the island of Fyn and later to the south of Jutland, where they saw a lot of birds, especially a black and white Storch - the clou for especially Jean. They both liked birds very much and when we visited them in Asheville, Edna had painted some birds as a gift. The last time, we saw both Jean & Charles, we all knew that it would be the last time, we might see them - it was a tough good-bye for sure.
Another little story: When Jean & Charles visited us, we wanted our 2 girls to join us, so they could meet Jean & Charles. During the evening we talked a lot about birds, especially the Storch Jean & Charles had seen in the south of Jutland. Suddenly, Charles broke in and said:"Those of you, who are tired of talking about birds, raise their finger". I know this was a Charles story - but anyway...
Please, send our best wishes to the big family. Love from Edna & Poul
Jean Sayings
March 16, 2019
by Beth Reid
One of the greatest things about growing up with Mom was the collection of odd sayings and adages she had for various occasions. Here are some of our favorites:
"I don't care if it harelips the county." (synonym for "who cares what anyone thinks")
She's "out like Lottie's eye". (sound asleep)
He (or it) is "slick as snot".
She "went outside and the pigs ate her." (Response to "where is she?")
Here's your hat, what's your hurry?
Criticism leads to chairmanship. (I use this ALL the time)
We mock the thing we are to be. (Every time Caty or I echo Mom, the other responds with this)