| Graduation Year | Class of 1942 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 19, 2014 |
| About | MELBOURNE, FL: Jean Prouty, a nearly lifelong resident of Zanesville, lost her life to Alzheimer's Disease January 19, 2014, at the home of her daughter, Rebecca Van Riper, in Melbourne, Florida, where she had lived for the past eight years. Born Alice Jean Freeman, in Cambridge, September 11, 1924, Jean was the daughter of Margaret Freeman McCaughey and Joseph Freeman, who predeceased her, as did her brother, Bill Freeman, sister, Aletha Taylor, husband, Ray Prouty and son, Jim Prouty. She is survived by sisters, Mary Greiner and Helen Layman; children: Scoobie Lane, Rebecca Van Riper and Bill Prouty (Tracie); adult grandchildren: Nic Lane (Liz), Lara Coffey, Harry Van Riper and Morgan Prouty; juvenile grandchildren: Russell, Margaret and Grace Prouty; and great grandchildren: Kaja and Alexander Lane and Kalli Jarvis. A 1942 graduate of Lash High School, Jean eloped with Ray on August 15, 1942, just prior to his army induction. They began married life in San Antonio, Texas, where he was stationed until sent to the European Theater, after which she returned to Zanesville. Following WWII, the couple built a house on Military Rd., where they raised their family and she resided until moving to Florida in 2005. Jean, a devoted wife and mother, would have described herself as a homemaker. She made fantasy birthday cakes and wonderful Halloween costumes for her children, but she had another, unusual creative outlet: dance costumes. For fifteen annual recitals, Jean designed and constructed hundreds of tap and ballet costumes for Sellers Dance Studio, saving the earnings for Christmas and birthday presents for her husband, whom she cared for through six years of cancer surgeries. After his death and their youngest child was in college, she enjoyed traveling with her sisters. Sweet is the adjective most often used to describe Jean and she was. A service/memorial will be determined at a later date. Donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America online, by phone or U.S. mail. |
