D. Jean Boake, formerly of Mechanicsburg, passed away Sunday July 18, 2010, at her daughter's home.
Born May 13, 1930, in Altoona, she was the daughter of the late Waldren C. Corcelius and Adah L. (Weber) Corcelius. In 1955, in Pittsburgh, Jean married Felix J. Boake, Jr., who predeceased her in 1959.
She is survived by her three children, Felix J. Boake, III and his wife, Kelly Grimes, of State College, Gregory W. Boake and his wife, Joy, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Edith A. Boake, and her husband, Mark Schreiner, of State College. She was predeceased by her brother, Weber W. Corcelius and her sister, Edith L. Byrd.
Jean graduated from Altoona High School in 1948, then went on to receive her RN cap from Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing, her B.S.N. from the University of Pittsburgh, and her M.S.N. specializing in Geriatrics and Psychiatric nursing from the University of Maryland. She worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Health as head of Nursing Education at Hollidaysburg State Hospital. She then became head of the Nursing Education Program at what was then Mount Aloysius Junior College. She returned to work for the Department of Health in Harrisburg as a Nurse Surveyor for 23 State and 11 Private Psychiatric Hospitals. She finished her career at Harrisburg State Hospital, retiring in 1999.
Widowed at an early age, Jean was devoted to her children's well-being and development, broadening their horizons through education and life experiences. She believed that with a good education, and a good attitude, one could achieve great results. Burdened with health problems, she was the model of perseverance. She always wanted to see what her children would be doing next, and was happiest when she was with them.
Though a Pitt grad, she was an enthusiastic fan of State College, Penn State, Penn State Football, Penn State Football Tailgating and Joe Paterno. Along with her Harrisburg Hospital colleagues, she was an enthusiastic tailgater. A hamburger or hotdog, grilled fresh by Bob before a game, was one of her favorite meals. Going to see the 1995 Rose Bowl with her Harrisburg State Hospital buddies was a highlight event. The five of them cut quite a figure in their matching PSU bomber jackets!
Jean played piano and loved all forms of musical performance. Cats, their wisdom, insanity and antics, always amused her. She will be missed by felines and humans alike.
Friends will be received at Koch Funeral Home at 10 a.m. on Saturday July 31, 2010, followed by a Celebration of Jean's life beginning at 11 a.m. Internment will be private, and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by Koch Funeral Home, State College. In lieu of flowers, Jean requested memorial contributions to be made to Nurses Alumni Association Scholarship Fund c/o PinnHlth FDN, PO Box 8700, Harrisburg, PA 17105-9011. Please include on the memo: In Memory of D. Jean Boake.