1921
Jean
2006
Jean W. Firth
December 8, 1921 — January 13, 2006
Jean Rainford Firth passed away on Friday, January 13 in Moline, Illinois. She was born on December 8, 1921 in Plainfield, New Jersey to Edgar and Catharine (Armstrong) Worthington. She was preceded in death by her husband Rowland Van Dyke Firth. She is survived by daughter Leslie and husband Michael Watkins, grandson Travis Watkins of Andalusia, Illinois; son Rowland and wife Susan Firth, granddaughters Brooks and Leslie Firth of Charlotte, North Carolina; son Scott and wife Susan Firth, grandson Ryan Firth of Georgetown, Texas, granddaughter Meghan Firth of Sherman Oaks, California.
Jean grew up in New Jersey in the shadow of New York City but developed a life-long love of the beach fondly telling stories of her summers at the Jersey shore. Later in life she would be found every spring hiking on the beach at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Valedictorian of the Wilson High School class of 1939, Jean was never without a book and her love of reading continued throughout her life. After completing high school, she attended nursing school and worked for several years as a practical nurse. In June 1945 she married Rowland "Dyke" Firth, the boy next door, who was home in Plainfield on leave from the World War II Pacific front. The war ended shortly after their wedding and the couple moved to Pennsylvania to start their life together. The 1950's kept Jean busy raising her three children and helping at school and church activities. Jean and the family moved west to Mt. Prospect, Illinois in 1960 where she would spend the rest of her life cheering for the Cubs and Bears always confident that next year would be the year they would win it all. During the 1970's as the children left the nest, Jean and Dyke reached the top levels of square dancing skill and she turned this into a career working for a dozen years at the Western House of Fashion. The 1980s brought her grandchildren and a special place for each one in her heart. She felt blessed to be part of a wonderful church community at St. John Episcopal and was a tireless alter guild worker surrounded by many close friends.
Jean will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Online condolences may be expressed to Jean's family by visiting her obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory is assisting the family
Jean grew up in New Jersey in the shadow of New York City but developed a life-long love of the beach fondly telling stories of her summers at the Jersey shore. Later in life she would be found every spring hiking on the beach at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Valedictorian of the Wilson High School class of 1939, Jean was never without a book and her love of reading continued throughout her life. After completing high school, she attended nursing school and worked for several years as a practical nurse. In June 1945 she married Rowland "Dyke" Firth, the boy next door, who was home in Plainfield on leave from the World War II Pacific front. The war ended shortly after their wedding and the couple moved to Pennsylvania to start their life together. The 1950's kept Jean busy raising her three children and helping at school and church activities. Jean and the family moved west to Mt. Prospect, Illinois in 1960 where she would spend the rest of her life cheering for the Cubs and Bears always confident that next year would be the year they would win it all. During the 1970's as the children left the nest, Jean and Dyke reached the top levels of square dancing skill and she turned this into a career working for a dozen years at the Western House of Fashion. The 1980s brought her grandchildren and a special place for each one in her heart. She felt blessed to be part of a wonderful church community at St. John Episcopal and was a tireless alter guild worker surrounded by many close friends.
Jean will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Online condolences may be expressed to Jean's family by visiting her obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory is assisting the family
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