1930
Jean
2015
Jean Nothstine
December 16, 1930 — December 2, 2015
On Wednesday December 2, 2015, Jean Ann Nothstine, 84, passed away at home in the comfort of her family.
Born in Washington DC in 1930, to Jeanette Elizabeth and Howard Ware Topham, she grew up with a freedom to explore the city streets and treasures of DC while spending summers on her Aunt Myrtle and Uncle Henry's farm. Throughout life she enjoyed a range of activities including raising and driving ponies, sewing anything from Vogue patterns to Halloween costumes, perfecting old and discovering new recipes, and canning and preserving fruits and vegetables from the family garden. Her canned peaches and pound cake were family favorites.
Jean Ann had an early passion for music and became an accomplished musician. She began study as a teenager with the interim organist at the Washington National Cathedral and played her first church service at the age of fourteen. Locally she served as interim organist and choir director at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in the late 60's and later was the primary organist for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Throughout the years, she substituted for churches of several denominations in the Chester County area and was also a beloved piano teacher to a multitude of children. Later on, she took up bell ringing and made several tours of England with the Downingtown Central Presbyterian Church Handbell Choir.
She savored life with an intellectual curiosity that ranged from a fascination with 18th century history, to world travels with her husband. Her genuine interest in most any subject that happened to be shared with her will be missed. In her younger years she was a secretary at the Department of Agriculture in Washington DC. The family moved to Downingtown PA in 1966. She worked at the Coatesville Veterans Hospital for a time and then played piano for students at the Camp Hill Special School. Her real gift, though, was the warm and welcoming home she created for her own children as well as others who claimed her as their second mother.
Married to Kenneth Nothstine on July 28, 1956, Jean Ann is survived by her husband of 59 years, son Christopher Crown(Peggy) of Arvada CO, daughters Janet Nothstine (Ray) of Butte, MT, Dorcas Nothstine of Coatesville, PA, and Sarah Celik (Muhsin) of Niskayuna, NY. She was the beloved grandmother of Ayla Celik, and sister of Frances Melillo (Jim). She was predeceased by sister Phyllis DeGarmo. She is also survived by several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service will be held February 20th, 2016 at 2:00 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1105 East Lincoln Hwy, Exton, PA 19341.
Born in Washington DC in 1930, to Jeanette Elizabeth and Howard Ware Topham, she grew up with a freedom to explore the city streets and treasures of DC while spending summers on her Aunt Myrtle and Uncle Henry's farm. Throughout life she enjoyed a range of activities including raising and driving ponies, sewing anything from Vogue patterns to Halloween costumes, perfecting old and discovering new recipes, and canning and preserving fruits and vegetables from the family garden. Her canned peaches and pound cake were family favorites.
Jean Ann had an early passion for music and became an accomplished musician. She began study as a teenager with the interim organist at the Washington National Cathedral and played her first church service at the age of fourteen. Locally she served as interim organist and choir director at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in the late 60's and later was the primary organist for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Throughout the years, she substituted for churches of several denominations in the Chester County area and was also a beloved piano teacher to a multitude of children. Later on, she took up bell ringing and made several tours of England with the Downingtown Central Presbyterian Church Handbell Choir.
She savored life with an intellectual curiosity that ranged from a fascination with 18th century history, to world travels with her husband. Her genuine interest in most any subject that happened to be shared with her will be missed. In her younger years she was a secretary at the Department of Agriculture in Washington DC. The family moved to Downingtown PA in 1966. She worked at the Coatesville Veterans Hospital for a time and then played piano for students at the Camp Hill Special School. Her real gift, though, was the warm and welcoming home she created for her own children as well as others who claimed her as their second mother.
Married to Kenneth Nothstine on July 28, 1956, Jean Ann is survived by her husband of 59 years, son Christopher Crown(Peggy) of Arvada CO, daughters Janet Nothstine (Ray) of Butte, MT, Dorcas Nothstine of Coatesville, PA, and Sarah Celik (Muhsin) of Niskayuna, NY. She was the beloved grandmother of Ayla Celik, and sister of Frances Melillo (Jim). She was predeceased by sister Phyllis DeGarmo. She is also survived by several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service will be held February 20th, 2016 at 2:00 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1105 East Lincoln Hwy, Exton, PA 19341.
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