Obituary of Jean W. Sherman , 93

Jean W. Sherman, 93, died on November 23, 2011 at Hearthside Nursing and Rehabilitation in State College.

Gladys Jean Weston was born on October 16, 1918, in Utica, N.Y.; daughter of Stuart R. and Gladys Bogert Weston.

On September 8, 1947, she married George M. Wald, a prominent Utica Organist and Choir Director, who died May 5, 1965. On June 30, 1979, she married Robert O. Sherman, of Lewistown, PA., who died on January 16, 1995.

After graduating from high school in 1936 she worked for The Commercial Travelers Accident Association in Utica until 1947. From 1953 to 1966, she served as Secretary to the Minister at The First Presbyterian Church in Utica. She moved to State College, PA in 1966 to accept a position as Secretary to the Dean, College of Education, at Penn State. From 1976 until 1978, when she retired, she was Secretary of the Gerontology Center, in The College of Human Development.

In 1939, she was certified in Floral Design at Elise Cutler’s School of Floristy in Gloucester, MA. She was a member and served two terms as President of both Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and the Faculty Women of Utica College of Syracuse University. She studied oil painting with William Palmer at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica, and Pastels at the Art Alliance in Lemont, PA.

She researched her genealogy, eventuating in membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as several nationally prominent family associations.

She was a creative writer, author, and poet. Her work has been published in magazines, anthologies, and church newsletters. She self-published two books: “Gleanings” (1999), and “Wee Conceits” (2001). In addition, some of her writings earned notable awards. She was a member of Nittany Writers’ Network, and The Christian Writers’ Roundtable.

After her retirement in 1978, she audited numerous courses at Penn State, and has participated in classes and trips sponsored by C.A.L.L. (Community Academy for Lifelong Learning).

Other endeavors include coin and stamp collecting; hand-crafting jewelry and selling at craft shows, collecting antiques, and traveling with her late husband.

She has always been actively involved in churches where she was a member including the Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church and Of Branching Out Bible Study at Oakwood Presbyterian Church.

In addition to her parents, and her husbands, she was preceded in death by her younger siblings: a sister, Charlotte W. Garvey, and bothers, Stuart R. Weston Jr., and John (Jack) T. Weston. She is survived by several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held 7:00 PM, Wednesday, Novemeber 30, 2011 at the Grace Presbyterian Church, 370 Airport Road, State College, PA 16801.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jean’s memory may be made to the Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church, 370 Airport Road, State College, PA 16801.

A guest book can be signed and condolences sent to her family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.