Jean Powell Beebe Winters - Obituary

ean was born on October 21, 1925 in Denver, Colorado and was the first of four children born to Frances Loring Powell and John Dickson Beebe. At an early age she moved with her family to Silver Lake, Ohio where the family spent many years. Throughout her life, Jean came to love two things passionately, plant life and the water. As a child growing up on Silver Lake, she loved to sail, swim and would later become very involved in synchronized swimming. Her father was an avid gardener, growing beautiful Dahlias – this was something that Jean inherited honestly as her passion for gardening grew exponentially throughout her life. In 1945, while serving as Maid of Honor at a friend’s wedding in Denver, Jean met and fell in love with a young sailor named Robert Winters who ironically was serving as the best man. They were married less than six weeks later on December 26. Jean had insisted on spending Christmas with her family, but was available any time after that for a wedding! As a Navy wife, Jean was blessed to live on both the east and west coasts. While she enjoyed their time in San Diego during the early years, she came to love living in Maryland, citing the change in seasons as something she looked forward to each year. This only served to reinforce her love of gardening. Jean was a chronic workaholic throughout her professional life. During the early years of marriage she worked for the Navy at NOS Indian Head, now known as Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center. After taking some time off to stay at home with the kids, she decided to return to work and found employment with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, working proudly as a technical writer/editor on the Apollo space flight program. After a few years, she decided again to stop working and stay at home with the kids. But once again the work bug was chewing at her, she went to work for the Federal government in the Department of the Interior working as a Management Analyst in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was from this position that she ultimately retired. After retiring, Jean could not wait to spend time in her beloved gardens. Many a night her husband Bob would go out looking for her a dinner time only to find her deep in the woods behind the house in search of wildflowers to transplant. During their later years, Jean and Bob enjoyed membership in social groups and clubs such as Couples Club (western hand dancing), The Westerners, The Ruffed Grouse Society and more. Never one to have idle hands, Jean also took up basket weaving as both a hobby and a way to make a few extra dollars. Always the competitor, she loved getting ready for shows and exhibitions which allowed her to show off her handiwork. She was always happy working in her garden, working on baskets or playing on her computer! Jean passed away on Friday, June 10, 2016 in Bryans Road, MD; beloved wife of the late Robert Arthur Winters; mother of Betsy and Ernie Winters; sister of Thomas Beebe (Janice) and the late John Beebe (Marilyn) and Frances Beebe Huth (Jack). Also survived by her caretaker of three years, Calvin L. Scott, II. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 25th, 2:00 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church Broadcreek located at 9801 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, Maryland with repast immediately following in the Parish Hall. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Melwood Horticultural Training Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland or the St. John’s Broadcreek Building Fund, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Fort Washington, Maryland.