MOUNT VERNON — On Nov. 4, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer, Jean joined her mother, Mary Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Dawn Andrea Gleason.
She was born in Mount Vernon on March 16, 1931, to Mary Elizabeth Miller and Edward Earl Miller. She attended grammar and high school in Mount Vernon and graduated in 1949. She immediately went to work for Cooper-Bessemer Company. About 15 years later, she met her husband, Bill, in the engineering department of that company. Jean playfully said she let Bill chase her until she caught him. On Friday, Nov. 13, 1964, they were married in Reno, Nev., and have been married 44 years.
After moving from Ohio to San Mateo, Calif., in 1964, Jean worked as senior vice president of Convention Services for an international trade association called American Frozen Food Institute. Jean retired after 30 years of service.
Jean’s first marriage to James Gleason gave her two daughters, Pamela Roy of Manteca, Calif., and Kimberlee Peterson of Mount Vernon. In 1966, Jean and Bill welcomed their son, W. Bruce Bohannan, DDS, MD, and his wife, Beth Chagonjian Bohannan. Jean is survived by her children; eight grandchildren, Max and Madison Bohannan, Connie and Eric Roy, and Amanda, Julee, Megan and Jaimee Peterson of Mount Vernon, as well as five great-grandsons. Jean also is survived by a brother, Edward, and his wife, Cindy Miller, who reside in Mount Vernon.
Jean’s 30-year passion and hobby was singing with the Bay Area Showcase Chorus and the Daytimers Chorus, both a cappella groups singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. She also enjoyed golf and travel.
Jean was a member of the Altar Guild at Transfiguration Church in San Mateo for several years and volunteered for the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. She served on the management teams of both the Region 12 Sweet Adelines, as Site Selection Chairman for 17 years, and the Bay Area year in 2001.
Jean leaves her family and many friends in the chorus and frozen food industry, her neighbors and school friends all over the country.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Her ashes will be interred at Skyline Memorial Park by her family.
Submitted by Kim Peterson.
