I've enjoyed reading everyone's stories about their experiences with Jean. I've known Jean for about 7 years now and it's been wonderful to have her as a teacher, mentor and friend. I met Jean shortly after she began to develop her first online course, I was assigned to help her with the technology part. When we introduced ourselves she was quick to note that she wasn't sure about online teaching, but since she has always been interested in a challenge she thought she'd try it out. Little did she or I know at the time that the very course she wasn't sure about would become an award winning online course!

As Jean and I got to know one another better, I realized she would be a great person to invite to be on my doctoral guidance committee and dissertation committee. Lucky for me she accepted and I can't begin to tell you all how helpful it was to have her support, feedback and friendship throughout the process.

I think, though, that I most cherish the friendship I've now developed with Jean as a colleague. She's done so much to encourage me to seize new opportunities and supported me in those efforts, even if she wasn't feeling 100%.

Jean, I am truly grateful for your friendship!
Keeping you in my thoughts,
Scott

I’ve heard so many wonderful stories about Jean and her family in this blog, and I would like to share another story from our young adulthood. I think that we all agree that when we talk about our experiences with Jean, it’s not only Jean that we talk about, but other family members as well. This is the same wonderful family connection that I saw when I first met them in 1970.

Having lived next door to the Baker’s, they always made me feel like part of their family. I felt that I had a special relationship with them as a family and with each, individually. We spent much of our adolescent years together, Jean, Trudy and I. Jean is two years younger than Trudy and I, but she was always included with everything that we did and it was quite evident that Jean and Trudy had always been the best of friends. All through high school I spent many weekends sleeping over at the Baker’s house. We would stay up late watching TV, listening to music, making prank calls to friends and just being teenagers; having a blast. Regardless of what time we went to bed, Reverend Jack would always wake us up for Sunday mass. Having been raised in the Catholic Church and not in the Episcopal, I took advantage of my parents being away, and would sleep in. On occasion I attended a service or two with Jean and Trudy, and was surprised to find that the format of the mass was very similar to the Catholic mass. When I questioned Rev Jack about the similarities, I got a very long history of both religions and was told emphatically that I was a “Roman” Catholic which is different than an Episcopalian “catholic”, and that I should never mistake the fact that they are different. He was always very passionate and proud of being an Episcopalian minister and held it in the highest esteem. Hmmmm…..well, needless to say, I picked up on his sensitivity of even the mere suggestion of the Episcopal Church being akin to the Roman Catholic, and I took every opportunity to question and tease him about it.

I tell you that story to tell you this one: When it was announced that Jean and Watts were to be married, it was a very happy time. I chuckle when I think about the day we were together talking about it. Jack, Fran, and Jean were there, and I’m not sure if Trudy was or not. Anyway, we were all talking about Jean and Watts, where is he from, how’d they meet, etc., having a wonderful time, when Rev Jack leaned over to me, had his hand up to his face as to whisper to me so that no one else could hear, (but of course everyone could) “he’s a Lutheran!” I laughed and replied “well, at least he’s not Roman Catholic!” We all roared! Jean, smiling, rolled her eyes; looked at her dad, who was smiling and looking back at her, told him “you’re incorrigible”. You could see that they shared a a special moment. Of course he meant the remark in jest because of our religious discussions. He then went on to talk about what a fine young man Watts was and that he and Jean would surely have a happy and wonderful life together. Smart man!

Jean Rocks, pt. 2

As Gene has said, Jean Rocks. We joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church at about the same time Jean, Watts, Liz and Charles joined when we all moved to Athens. Since first meeting this wonderful family, we formed a special bond....how can you not with such a warm and fun family. Of course, Charles and Brandon bonded like two brothers. I remember how the two boys would find each other at church to sit together and Jean and I would be flanking them like bookends. These boys are way too cute for us to not sit in on their conversations. I remember hearing their “whispering” conversations and Jean and I will look at each other and nearly busted out laughing at their antics. Jean will share with us child rearing stories and she would give us advise which had been invaluable to us. I too remember the wonderful parties Jean and Watts would throw on special occasions and sometimes for no reason at all except for good fellowship. I especially treasure the mornings of when Jean stayed with us to visit when she is back in town doing her Grant research and we would just talk and talk. While we had serious topics to discuss, we also had a lot of laughs. What a gem of a gal.

Sister Jean Rocks

We have known Jean, Watts, Liz, and Charles for over 14 years and continue to enjoy a very close and special friendship with our family in Athens, GA. Our special friendship started as a small ministry group at Holy Cross Lutheran Church where we enjoyed: many fun adventures in the great outdoors (Jean and Watts especially loved the many wonders that are there to enjoy) including parks, hiking, splashing at water parks or at the pool - Jean is such a terrific, charming, and fun sister full of joie de vivre!; many heartfelt, in depth, and profound discussions about life, spirituality, philosophy, beer, raising children, child psychology, more beer, and many of life's growth opportunities - I have always marvelled at Jean's wonderful insights and gifts in all these areas, many of which we applied for our family and conveyed to others. As Jean and Watts are also gourmet chefs and terrific hosts, we also enjoyed the many wonderful parties full of great food (even the experimental recipes) and fun fellowship with their expansive circle of friends and family which ensured there was never a dull moment in the Baker-Rozell household with a seemingly endless stream of life traffic flowing through. Speaking of family, Jean and Watts were not only totally devoted to their lovely children, beautiful and free spirited Liz (wonder where she gets it from??), tall and handsome Charles, but also to Jean's mom and dad, Fran and Jack respectively; Jean and Watts expanded their home to share their love with Fran and Jack where they enjoyed their time together partying, gardening, and bonding. This type of love and devotion is reflective also of the type of love Jean and Watts share: free flowing and expansive as the wind and holy spirit, and grounded in the Lord our rock and earth as the foundation. When Jean transferred to Michigan with this terrific opportunity we and our Holy Cross family missed Jean's wonderful spirit and fellowship tremendously. We enjoyed Jean's frequent visits to Athens to work on various projects and had the recent good opportunity to return some of the early favors by sharing our home with her and with Watts and Charles on other occasions with good food at some of Jean's favorite places including the Grit, Blue Bird cafe, Last Resort, and the Botanical Gardens. We also enjoyed visits by Charles who has always been great friends with our son Brandon and marvelled at how TALL Charles has grown with rock star good looks as well; with his ingenuity Charles may even convert the cello into an electric acoustic instrument for his band someday. Charles and Brandon have always had a special bond ranging from their love for Star Wars (with frequent light saber duels), Legos, video and PC games, music, and obstacle courses. We also enjoyed taking Charles around some of his more familiar areas (Athens eateries; White Water waterpark; Six Flags) and some new adventures (LAN Gaming parties; GA Aquarium; Sweet Tomatoes gourmet salad restaurant; Grand Buffet chinese seafood restaurant to name a few). Brandon also had fun on several trips to Michigan where he visited several museums, shows, enjoyed gourmet (and experimental) cooking, and even participated in a 'cooking show' for gourmet cookies produced by Liz and Charles!.....Yumm!

Jean, Watts, Liz and Charles are FAMILY (which means that you're STUCK with us) who we miss here in Athens and will always have in our hearts and spirit with love, hugs, and smoochies always! God bless and Keep y'all in His loving care with Peace, Balance, Healing, Strength, Courage, and Wisdom.......Your Athens Family, Brother Gene, Sister Kathy, Brandon, and our Holy Cross Family