Jean E. Morris' Obituary
Jeannette Elizabeth Morris of Clearwater, FL, passed away Friday September 27, 2019.
Jean was born December 28, 1940 to Ida May Hall Cameron and William F. Cameron, Sr. in Middletown, Connecticut. She was raised in Middletown and the family spent summers on Lake Pocotopaug in East Hampton, Connecticut. Jean knew as a child that she wanted to be a teacher and graduated from Southern Connecticut College in New Haven, with a degree in education and a minor in music in 1963. She pursued her career teaching in Middletown and Ledyard, Connecticut and in St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg Beach, Florida. Jean retired from Gulf Beaches Elementary in 2007, after thoroughly enjoying 43 years of teaching kindergarten. Her students especially enjoyed the musical talents Jean brought into the classroom and wove into the daily lessons. Hundreds of happy, involved and well-behaved children passed through Jean’s classes learning that working hard and behaving well was rewarded and she would never raise her voice except in song.
Jean had two other passions, music and cooking. Jean started playing her favorite songs with one finger on the piano at age 2 1/2 and as a 5 year old she was using chords. She took classical and modern music lessons starting at age 7 and continued until high school. Jean continued to play almost daily for the rest of her life. Jean’s cooking interest blossomed as she and her sisters helped her mother in the kitchen with canning, dinner preparation, and baking. She enjoyed experimenting with new recipes, adding other ingredients or creating her own recipes. She loved to cook fresh seafood and to bake pies, cakes and cookies to share with friends and neighbors, always willing to share recipes. Jean was happiest when friends and family joined her for conversation and a home cooked meal or cook out.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, brother William F. Cameron Jr., brother-in-law Buddy Rodriguez, and many dearly loved aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her beloved husband James D. Morris, sister Sally Cameron Mello and brother-in-law James Mello, sister Judith Cameron Vaughan and brother-in-law Harry Vaughan, sister-in-law Josie Cameron, brother-in-law Edward Vaughan, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Betty Rodriguez and Joe Eckweiler, nieces and nephews Jeanne Mello Day (Richard), Frank Mello (Claire), Craig Mello, Roger Mello (EK), Chris Vaughan (Susie), Ty Vaughan, William S. Cameron, Sheryl Cameron Scheidel (Bobby), Sandy Cameron Adams (Lenny), Chris Rodriguez (Shannon), dear friend Beverly Perlson and numerous dearly loved cousins, great nieces and nephews and friends. Jean was a favorite “Auntie” to all of the children in the family and could always keep them entertained. Jean will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers you might make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the charity of your choosing.
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