VAN BIENE, Jean Ann

Jean Ann van Biene died of pancreatic cancer on June 23, 2002, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jean was born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts on March 4, 1937. She graduated from Albany, New York's Philip Schuyler High School and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Sociology from the University of Eastern Oregon. Jean and her husband Frederic and son Steven moved to Scottsdale from San Gabriel, California in 1979. Jean was actively involved professionally, owning and operating Diet Center Franchises in the greater Phoenix, AZ area through most of the 1980's. She is a past president of the local chapter of the Business and Professional Women's Organization (BPW). Later, she was active as a tour guide and as an actress in historical reenactments at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, Oregon. Jean was always active in community theatre in both Scottsdale and in Baker City. She was a member of the East Valley Teller of Tales as well as being a docent and Guild member at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. Jean is a member of the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Scottsdale. She is survived by her husband Frederic, son Steven Grumkoski of Scottsdale, and step-daughter Laura Miller of Baker City, OR; sisters Joyce Nead and Denise Schultz of Schenectady, NY and three grandchildren, Aaron, Cal and Emily Miller of Baker City, OR. All who knew Jean will miss her love and presence in their lives. A memorial service will be held on Friday, 6/28/2002 at Messinger Mortuary Chapel, 7601 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5111 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 280, Scottsdale, AZ 85250-7091. Published in The Arizona Republic June 25, 2002.