Jean Eloise (Barber) Wolfinger |
| Posted 2008-09-05 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, September 3, 2008 Jean Eloise (Barber) Wolfinger, 91, passed away on Aug. 31, 2008, in Prescott. The wife of Harold Wolfinger, Jean was born on Aug. 14, 1917, in Elmira, N.Y., and was the second of three daughters of Francis Eugene Barber and Mabel Anna Barber. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Ruth Shelton and Marjorie Ellen Benson Jean grew up in Elmira, N.Y., graduated from Elmira College in 1939 and was introduced to the theater and opera by her grandmother, Mary Ella Jones. This sparked a lifelong passion for theater and the arts. In 1946 Jean and her family moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where she began working for Mt. Bell, predecessor of Qwest Communications. During her 35 years of employment with the phone company, she worked as a business office supervisor, and her spirit of excellence and grace was highly valued. After retiring from the phone company in 1972, Jean obtained her real estate license, and in 1974 she and her sister Marjorie relocated to the Mountain Club in Prescott. Some years later, she became president of the Mountain Club and for many years she served on the board. From her early years in Phoenix she actively supported the theater. She directed numerous plays for the Phoenix Little Theater, and later became instrumental in forming the Phoenix Children’s Theater. Jean loved audience participation-driven melodramas. After moving to Prescott, she became involved with the Prescott Fine Arts Association (PFAA) as a board member and play director and was also instrumental in starting a local children’s theater. Jean was a past president of the PFAA Charter Auxiliary and Prescott Symphony Guild, and was an active member of the Congregational Church. She also loved to celebrate. With a passion for cooking and a well-set table, she welcomed family and friends to her home. Her extended family of nieces and nephews have many wonderful memories of lessons learned through her example of family loyalty and support. On June 14, 1988, she married Harold Wolfinger and together they enjoyed 20 years of travel, theater, classical music and, most importantly, each other’s company. Those who saw them together as a couple would immediately sense their deep and abiding love for one another. Jean is survived by her husband Harold, his five children, grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom valued her love, encouragement, elegance and grace. A celebration of life will be 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at First Congregational Church, 216 E. Gurley St. The family suggest memorials be made to First Congregational Church, 216 E. Gurley St. Prescott, AZ 86301. Arrangements were entrusted to The Hampton Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors. |
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