Jean Phares passed away in Coupeville on Dec. 6, 2008 after a sudden illness. Her loving family surrounded her while her beloved jazz music played.

Jean was born Oct. 14, 1923 to Oscar and Audrey Forman in Casper, Wyo. Jean’s only brother is Richard Forman in California.

Jean was raised and supported in childhood by her grandmother, Julia Effingham. For the last 20 years of Jean’s career she was a high-powered executive secretary for Howard Wilson, the head of Dept. 27, Research and Development at Hughes Aircraft in Culver City, Calif.

After her retirement from Hughes, she went on to teach junior high school in Torrance, and water aerobics at her local YWCA in San Pedro. She was an avid reader; she became an accomplished painter and enjoyed jazz music to the fullest. Jean moved to Whidbey in 2004 to be near her son and his family and, until her illness, resided comfortably in her own home with her cat, Rocky.

Jean’s oldest son Michael preceded her in death in 1978.

She is survived by son Kevin and wife Susan Mathers of Freeland and daughter Penny and husband Dick Nigbor of Colorado; six grandchildren, Sharmon and Ben Aranita and Brandy Mathers of Calif., Janine Barr of Colorado, Shanna and Brian Dyer of Arizona, Gina and Jeff Newson of Washington, and Jessica and Sam Richie of Oregon; nine great-grandchildren, Heather, Eli and Noah Aranita of California, Ashley, Savannah and Rhiannon Dyer of Arizona, Seth, Gabe and Zach Newson of Washington; and a great-great granddaughter from Heather, Ava Marie of California.

By Jean’s request she was cremated, with her ashes to be scattered “against the wind.” No other services will be held.