Jean J. Hale of West Hartford passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on January 26, 2017. She was the beloved wife of Robert E. Hale, who predeceased her. Daughter of the late Joseph and Maud (Kandle) Justice, she was born at home in Woodbury, New Jersey, on April 9, 1925, and was an identical twin. Her parents did not know they were having twins until the second baby, Myfawnwy (“Bonnie”)was delivered. Jean and Bonnie were close all their lives, and are pictured dressed identically in most childhood photographs. After she graduated from Woodbury High School in 1943, she took a 6 week training program in drafting at Rutgers University, after which she became a junior draftsman at Dupont for 3 years, leaving that position when the service men returned from their wartime duties. She married Robert Elwood Hale on July 5, 1947. Together they had 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Jean was proud of being a mother and homemaker. She was an excellent seamstress, and made clothes for herself and her daughters and grandchildren. She loved painting with acrylics. Her landscape paintings hang in each of her children’s homes. She was also an ardent and energetic gardener, with a special fondness for day lilies and irises. She believed in helping the less fortunate, and took part in many church-sponsored service projects, including cooking for soup kitchens and making cookies at holiday times for shut-ins. She was a member of the Women’s Guild at the First Church Congregational in West Hartford, and for many years sang in the church choir.
Together with her family she enjoyed traveling and camping. Her travels included trips to London with her husband, and tenting with the family in Maine and Canada.
In her later years she suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. While the disease stole her memory and her mobility, she always assured people that she was happy to be alive.
Jean is survived by her children: Robert A. Hale and his wife Claudia of Greensboro, NC; Patricia Hale of West Hartford; Bruce Hale and his wife Rita of Suffield; and Margaret “Peggy” Ralphs and her husband Brian of Simsbury. Jean also leaves nine grandchildren: Robert J. Hale and wife Amanda of St. Charles, IL; Susan Hale of Los Angeles, CA; Charles Hale of Watertown, MA; Matthew Hale and his wife Jamie of Newington; Barbara Skolnick and her husband Josh of New Hope, PA; Richard Hale and his wife Nina of North Granby; Robert F. Hale of Greensboro, NC; and Spencer and Caleb Ralphs of Simsbury; and six great-grandchildren: Robert Alexander and Cecilia Hale of St. Charles, IL; Natalie, Levi, and Miranda Skolnick of New Hope, PA; and Porter Hale of North Granby; and a brother, Frank Hale of Farmington, MO; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her parents, and by her sisters Francis, Edith, and Bonnie, and her brother, Bruce. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Mary Home for their loving care. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, January 31, at the First Church of Christ Congregational, 12 South Main Street, West Hartford. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be Monday, January 30, from 4-7 PM at the Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Loaves & Fishes Ministries, Inc. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.