Jean L. Goldsberry

Jean L. Goldsberry, 85, of Stephenville, died on December 6, 2011. Jean was born in 1926 to the late Milfred W. "Biff" and Lucy A. Staples in Canton, Ohio. She entered this world 6 weeks early in a time when few premature babies lived more than a few days. Echoing the strength she displayed in infancy and reinforced by being an only child who grew up during the Depression, Jean was an independent woman. Raised in Kent, Ohio where she graduated from Kent State University High School in 1944, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio University in 1948. She married the late David R. Goldsberry in 1948, and they lived the longest in Wooster, Ohio before relocating to Tucson, Arizona in 1986. Jean moved to Stephenville in 2000 to be closer to her daughter and her family. In Ohio Jean taught 5th and 6th grade in Logan before moving to Barberton where she worked for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as a draftsman. After moving to Wooster, where her husband David worked for Rubbermaid, Inc., she continued to work as a draftsman from time to time, but focused on what she loved most, her family. Jean had a passion for sewing and was a real artist as a seamstress. Everyone loved her cooking and she made blueberry pies and biscuits and fresh corn fritters with maple syrup like no one else. But mostly she devoted her love and her time to taking care of her husband and their children, Roy and Betsy, supporting them in all their varied interests. Jean was an active member of the Presbyterian Church until moving to Texas where she joined the First United Methodist Church, Stephenville. She loved to read and had a great appreciation for history, often reading late into the night. She also loved to travel, especially to her summer home on Lac Pemichangan in Quebec, Canada. She designed and helped build their cottage at the lake, a special place where she still has many friends. She eagerly shared this summer place with anyone willing to make the journey. This is surely one of her legacies. Jean is survived by two children and their families: Roy and Jennifer Goldsberry of Rochester Hills, Michigan and Elizabeth J. (Betsy) and Greg Ball of Stephenville, Texas. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Scott Goldsberry, stationed in Italy; Alex Goldsberry of Rochester Hills, Michigan; Chelsea Ball of Ithaca, New York, and David Ball of Stephenville, Texas. Jean's bold laugh, feisty spirit and love for others will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday December 10, 2011 at 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church, Stephenville. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to this church in her memory.