Jean Heberle (Johnson) was born in Kane, Pennsylvania to Archibald and Ethlyn Johnson. She grew up in Bradford, PA with her sisters Patricia (Rizzuti) and Joyce (Calhoun). She attended Russell Sage college where she graduated with a degree in physical education. After graduating she moved to New Jersey where she made life-long friends; while there she met and married Arthur (Pete) Heberle, and together they moved to Rochester, NY. She taught physical education at East High for many years and then began a career at Our Lady of Mercy High School teaching physical education and eventually becoming Dean of Students. She retired in 1996.
As a woman of faith, she was very active in her Lutheran church which she served in various capacities. She was a member of the Board of Directors for LCMS Eastern District. Appropriately strong in her religious convictions, she would argue with anyone who didn’t interpret scripture as she did. Those who knew her well knew (without a doubt) her personal understanding of the Mary and Martha story.
Jean always saw the good in people, and she delighted in extending hospitality to all of her friends. For many years she hosted dinners on Tuesday evenings, and these weekly meals afforded her the opportunity to experiment with recipes that she had collected over the years (her favorite cookbook being The Three Rivers Cookbook from her native Pennsylvania). You never found her without a list of ingredients to be purchased for the following Tuesday. She even liked to plan her own birthday menu, for as she insisted, “Who else knows me well enough to know who I want to attend the event and what food I want to serve?”. When she moved to Macedon to be closer to her daughter, the Tuesday night events were discontinued, but that didn’t stop her from organizing a monthly luncheon for the Mercy retirees. That most recent commitment to hospitality continues to this day.
Likewise, her love of bridge led to regular games with friends that involved passionate discussions about world affairs, but more to the point, much laughter at themselves and their weekly reports about the effects of aging. They looked forward to each other’s stories and took comfort in the company of sociable peers.
Her greatest joy, however, was to be found in her love of family, especially her role as mother to her daughter, Jennifer Barnes (Howard), and as grandmother to Katherine and Howard.She is suvived by one sister, Joyce, many nieces and nephews, as well as friends whom she treated as extended family.
Macedon June 4, 2023 Calling Hours Friday June 9, 2023 5-7PM at St. John’s Lutheran Church 153 Church Ave, Farmington where a Funeral Service will be held Saturday June 10, 2023 1PM.
In lieu of flowers, Jean has asked that donations be made to the Plumb Memorial Scholarship at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 153 Church Ave., Farmington, NY 14425.
Comments
9 responses to “Heberle, Jean M.”
Jean was a wonderful woman and the center of attention at many family gatherings in years past. Her laugh was infectious! A wonderful Mother and Grandmother, she will be missed by all.
Tried to contact you but the number I have was not in service. Thank you for the kind words. God’s blessings
For several years, we were neighbors and friends of Jean. We knew her as a kind and generous person, eager to share her wonderful food preparations with us. We send sincere condolences to her family.
Your Mom was an inspiration of living a Christian life in all aspects! She was a role model to us and to so many more!
Your Mom told me never to lose faith regarding being a grandmother………. my great regret is that I never got to tell her we have 4 grandsons ………3 with Nate and Rebecca, and 1 with Steve and Katherine:))
She was right!!!!! She was so wise and so kind…….Always!
We are so sorry for your loss, but I know we will see her again!!!!!
Jean will be missed. I enjoyed random conversations and catching up on family. She made me feel loved and cared for. God bless her abundantly.
We are so sorry for your loss. Both of us liked your mom/grandma so much. Always loved to have a conversation with you. She was incredibly smart, humble, and kind. She will be missed very much by everyone.
Jean was a very lovely lady always full of spirit. She will be missed. So sorry for the loss to all that knew her.
I met Jean on the first day of orientation at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. in September, 1952. We were friends for over 70 1/2 years. We went to most of our reunions together and shared many interesting tidbits about our college years. We always took each other out for dinner on our birthdays and we spoke very often. We lived five miles away from each other when Jean lived in Brighton. We often joked about us being the oldest friends in Rochester; not our age but the longevity of our friendship.
We also drove to Guilford, CT together as Jean’s sister, Joyce and my son and his family both lived there.
I will miss Jean dearly.
Hi Jennifer, my sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. I think I told you once that I met your mother while she was at Mercy. Many times as the Dean of the school. It didn’t take long to realize what she did, and how she did at Mercy, was Devotion to her work. I think you know what I think of you as well. So sorry but hold on to your fond memories you’ll have forever!