Jean Mary Garbett's Obituary
Jean Mary Garbett (née Hull) 92, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 18th. She was born in England and was very proud of her heritage. Although having lived in the US for nearly 70 years she never lost her accent, which would start many conversations with people she met. Jean grew up during WWII and had many stories of life in wartime conditions, rationing, blackout curtains, air raids, bombs dropping in the fields below their home and American GI’s handing her chocolate bars on their way to the seafront for the Normandy invasion were just some of them.
When she was 23, she decided to see a bit of the world before settling down and emigrated to Toronto, Canada and then to Cleveland, Ohio. There she met Malcolm Garbett, an English gentleman with whom she shared a love of ballroom dancing and similar backgrounds. They married on June 20th, 1959 in England and came back to the States to make a home and raise a family until Malcolm’s death in 2001.
Jean did many things in her life, loved the outdoors, swimming, sailing, rowing, riding and ballet. Once in colder climes she enjoyed skiing and skating, too. She loved travel and managed to visit all but four states. The family spent many vacations camping locally and throughout New England and also traveling to England to visit family.
But of all her endeavors Jean was most proud of her volunteering. Jean volunteered at University Hospitals in the surgical areas starting in 1971 and continuing until Covid restrictions in 2020. Mom loved her time spent there, making many friends with patients and staff. While working with patients and their families, she was patient and kind, she had a wonderful way of making people comfortable - whether through conversation, a warm blanket or other simple gesture of care. Many of those patients kept in touch with Jean for many years afterward. She received the University Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer Award and in 2013 it was named for her. In September of 2021 she was extremely surprised and proud to have been presented the ‘The President’s Volunteer and Lifetime Achievement Award’ signed by President Joe Biden, recognizing her dedication and devotion to helping others in her over 25,000 hours of service.
Jean is survived by her much loved daughters, Helen Cappy (Michael) and Sarah Klein, her grandchildren, Brittany Finkler (Matthew), Michael Ryan Cappy (Heather), Hannah Mackenzie and Christian Taylor Klein. Jean also had five great-grandchildren, Tyler Maxwell, Michael Robert and Kennedy Grace Cappy, Nash Matthew and Cole Cappy Finkler who were dearly loved and who provided much enjoyment these last years. Jean was a loved cousin, aunt and friend to many.
She will now be returned to her beloved England.
ALL SERVICES WILL BE PRIVATE.
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