Jeanne Stephens Blackmar's Obituary
Jeanne Stephens Lee Blackmar, 97, died March 16, 2018 at her home in Belleair Florida.
Jeanne was born December 21, 1920 in Moberly Missouri to Alma K. Stephens and James Temple Stephens. She pursued a diverse academic career which spanned her lifetime. Her academic record includes a Bachelor of Music from University of Missouri Kansas City in 1942, a Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College, Columbia University, New York in 1946, a Masters in Education in 1970 from University of Missouri in Columbia followed in 1978 by a PhD in Higher and Adult Education.
In her youth, Jeanne was a highly accomplished horsewoman, winning stakes in Five Gaited Saddle Horse shows throughout the Midwest. She was a talented soprano, and remained in New York City after college to pursue a professional career. In 1945, Jeanne married William O’Donnell Lee of West Point Virginia and in 1946, Jeanne and Bill moved to Moberly to work in the family business. Jeanne and Bill had three children and Jeanne became an avid golfer, playing in state and local tournaments, and a competitive bridge partner.
After the untimely death of William Lee in 1983, Jeanne married Charles B. Blackmar a judge on the Missouri Supreme Court. Jeanne and Charles were married 24 years, during which time they lived in Jefferson City Missouri, traveled extensively and wintered in Belleair, Florida.
Professionally, Jeanne was a counselor in Moberly High School, a member of the Board of Directors of Commerce Bank of Moberly, President of JSL Enterprises, Inc. a farming and real estate development company, President of the Cole County Historical Society, and the founding Director of Project Re-Entry, a program that helped women who were divorced or widowed and lacked job skills enter the job market or return to school. Jeanne was a thought leader in geriatric issues and women’s rights. In 1980, the Moberly Chamber of Commerce gave Dr. Lee their "Outstanding Service to the Community Award.”
Jeanne is survived by William S. Lee (Linda) of Tampa Florida, James J. Lee (Lesley) of Washington DC, Lucienne A. Lee (Tim Fosberg) of Prairie Village Kansas, and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Whitney A. Lee and Alex Judson of New York City, William Oliver Judson of New York City, William M. Lee of Washington DC, Benjamin Caplan of Prairie Village Kansas, Lillianna Caplan of Prairie Village Kansas, Erin Caplan of Boston Mass., Johnathan and Krista Cain of Orlando Florida, Jennifer and Ivan Glick of Tampa Florida, Max Glick of Tampa Florida, and Jeanne’s extended family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of Charles Blackmar . In lieu of flowers, donations to Suncoast Hospice or Cole County Historical Society will be appreciated.
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