Jewell P. Morgan, age 78, passed away peacefully at Highland Hospital on January 20, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Jewell was born on March 5th, 1945, in Brownwood, Texas, but spent most of her childhood growing up in northeast Tennessee, where her parents owned a small general store. This rural setting in the mountains of TN is where Jewell developed her love of gardening and being in nature. As the eldest of three children, she spent most of her time outdoors, playing in the fields and creeks or hiking through the mountains.
After high school, Jewell attended Berea College, a private liberal arts school, in Berea, Kentucky where she received a degree in Home Economics Education. Progressive for its time, Berea was the first interracial and coed college in the South, and to this day, it remains tuition-free. Shortly after graduation, Jewell pursued her master’s degree at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. It was here that Jewell met her first husband, and together they had two wonderful sons, Mark and Matt. They spent their early years in Greensboro and Fayetteville, NC before settling in the Rochester area for work in 1982.
Upon relocation to Rochester, Jewell became employed at the Rochester City School District as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and worked at Nathaniel Rochester and East High School. After 22 years of public education, Jewell retired in 2007, but still maintained the many wonderful friendships that she had developed while working at the city schools. In retirement, Jewell pursued a wide range of hobbies and interests. She loved to read, garden, quilt, walk, feed her birds, and spend time with her friends and family including her beloved grandchildren Jackie and Kate. Her passions for these interests led her to a variety of volunteer activities, including: volunteer coordinator for a not-for-profit bookstore run by the Friends of the Library; president and vice president of two quilt guilds; and an active member of an online photography group which consists of fascinating people from all over the world. The skills she developed as an amateur photographer were often shared with her two grandchildren and she had a knack for capturing two of her favorite subjects – birds and flowers. Many of her amazing photos of birds were taken just outside of her kitchen window, where the birds were plentiful.
Jewell had a deep appreciation for the outdoors, and this passion led her to pursue a personal fitness challenge in 2022. Her determination to walk every day for at least a mile regardless of the weather, culminated in a total of 808 miles in the hot sun, rain, wind and snow. Her motto for persevering, “There is no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.”
Jewell was remarried to the love of her life, Tom Morgan, in the year 2000, and they remained married for 19 years until his passing in 2019. They met at a Halloween swing dance and shared life together, blending two beautiful families and creating everlasting memories.
Jewell was a highly devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family brought her great joy and her unwavering love for her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren will forever be etched in our hearts. She is predeceased by her beloved parents Grace and Avery Miller, and husband Tom Morgan. She is survived in adoration and love by her sister Edith Crumley of Piney Flatts, TN, and brother Roger Miller (Debbie) of Piney Flatts, TN, as well as her two sons, Mark Aberi (Diane) of Skaneateles, NY, and Matt Aberi (Heidi) of West Irondequoit, NY, and her two grandchildren, Jackie, and Kate Aberi. Jewell is also remembered with love by Tom’s children, Tim Morgan (Kelly), Tracy Morgan, and grandchildren Kacy and Morgan Handzel and Hayden Morgan. Jewell’s love and loyalty to her friends, family, and community was reflected in everything she pursued. (Canadian Pharmacy) In fond remembrance, we invite you to join us in a colorful celebration of life service and informal reception in the Spring to honor the vibrant life of Jewell Morgan.
Comments
10 responses to “Morgan, Jewell P.”
Jewell was such a talented and lovely person. I will miss her.
So sorry to hear this. I have so many memories growing up of your mom. Such a great lady.
My thoughts and condolences.
Mark and Matt. We are so sorry to hear about your Mom. She was a special lady. I can remember the wonderful times when are families would go to Fern Resort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
It was a gift to have known her and to have been her friend. She was one of the most ethical, caring, creative, and forthright people I have known. She will be missed more than words can express.
Jewell and I became friends while teaching together at East High School. We’d walk the halls when we had periods off together, talking about our families and chasing miscreants back into class. She loved her family so much and was so deeply proud of them. It was fun to listen to the tales of her granddaughters growing up and her pride in their accomplishments as well of those of her sons and daughters in law. While she was a gifted photographer, she could also tell a story so vividly that it was as though you were actually looking at a scene. I know she felt blessed in her life and everyone who knew her felt blessed to know her. She will be missed.
My condolences on the profound loss of your mom, who was an amazing teacher and gave me unwavering support and encouragement as my homeroom teacher and home ec teacher at NRCS back almost 34-35 years ago. I never forgot her and when last we spoke she sounded so happy. She is missed and remembered
I met Jewell through our mural love of creating art. She was a multi talented fiber artist and a lovely human being. She will be missed but never forgotten.
Matt and Mark, I am heart broken at the passing of your mom. She was a dear friend and beautiful lady. I will miss our phone conversations and the opportunity to visit her as we planned. All the family is in my prayers and you have my deepest sympathy. Another angel has her wings. 🙏
I have known Jewell for well over 7 years as a wonderful photographer and virtual friend. She was a very important part of our online photography group with photographers from around the world. She was loved and so appreciated in our group. We miss her. She shared photos of her family and her wonderful grandchildren who she adored. Know we are thinking of all of you right now. RIP Jewell… you lovely lovely friend and photography colleague.
I met Jewell though the Genesee Valley Quilt Club. Together with several other club members, we worked to organize an impressive quilt show in 2022; and, in fact, Jewell was hard at work again on a show for 2024 before she became ill. Jewell’s combination of grace and style were instrumental in attracting advertisers and donors to our cause. I imagine that Jewell’s combination of grace and style plus a good measure of kindness were instrumental in attracting her many, many friends. She was a special lady. I will miss her.