Jean Stephens

Jean Stephens, 86, passed away peacefully on January 10th, 2025 at her home in Puyallup, Washington. She will be remembered by her family as a beloved mother and doting grandma. 

Jean was born on May 13, 1938 in Manhattan, NY to parents John and Rosaleen Vorst. She was raised in the Queens area and remained in New York, graduating from St John’s University and becoming an elementary school teacher before meeting future husband, Air Force Captain George Henry Stephens while on vacation in Hawaii. They married in 1966 and Jean moved to Honolulu, HI where George was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base. Soon after they welcomed their three children: George, Deirdre, and Kristen.  After many years of traveling with the military, settled in Puyallup, Washington in 1981, where George retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Jean returned to teaching elementary school for the Tacoma School District and retired from teaching in 1997. Throughout her life, Jean was an ardent volunteer, giving her time to Good Samaritan hospital’s surgery center and Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy Unit; All Saints and Holy Disciples churches, multitudes of schools, museums, Meals on Wheels, in-home visitation services and countless other volunteer positions – Jean’s life was rooted in service to others. 

Preceded in death by her beloved husband George, parents John and Rosaleen, and brother John Vorst, Jean’s life will be celebrated by her children: George Stephens and wife Kim; Deirdre Cope and husband Mark; Kristen Watson and husband JD; her grandchildren: Brenna Cope; Dalton Stephens; Jeremy Watson and Ashlynn Cope, and the multitudes of friends and lives who were touched by her.

Jean will be laid to rest in a private family service at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery. Memorial service will be announced at a later date.