Jean T. Stanton died peacefully in her sleep at her residence of almost 4 years, Alabama Oaks Assisted Living, in Winter Park, FL, one week short of her 96 birthday.
Progressing dementia and a fall preceded her move from her home to Alabama Oaks where the staff was attentive and loving, with several caring for her needs from her first day there until her last. Her nurse practitioner Kelly Higgins and AdventHealth hospice Coral team made her final days better for her and her family than thought possible.
Jean Kathryn Tuthill was born March 26, 1930, at (the then) Orange Memorial Hospital to Benjamin P. & Edelweiss D. Tuthill and younger sister to B. (Palmer) Tuthill, Jr. She attended Orlando High School and Rollins College, where she was a member of the Tarpons synchronized swimming & diving club. From her youth, her parents originally ran a meat market in Orlando which was expanded into a grocery store plus bakery located on Orange Avenue & Alexander Place; they built their own store in the early 1950s at 1812 N. Mills St.
She met her future husband, Thomas H. Stanton, at the Arkansas Christadelphian Bible School in Martinville, AR, and they were married in September, 1950, in Orlando, FL, and lived in North Little Rock, AR. In 1952, they moved back to Orlando where Tom helped run Tuthill’s with his father-in-law and Jean helped in any department of the store where needed. Tuthill’s closed in 1972.
Jean & Tom (deceased 4/2008) were faithful members of the Orlando Christadelphian Ecclesia and raised their two children, Sandra (Sid) Strickland and Daniel (Rebecca) Stanton in the Hope of Israel–the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David which were ratified through the life, death and resurrection of the son of God, Jesus Christ. Jean believed that her covenant with Yahweh through baptism assured her resurrection from the dead, and, at death, she would sleep in Christ until his call to a righteous judgement upon his return to earth. She believed the reward for the faithful baptized is immortality to reign with and give glory to Yahweh’s son and heir during his millennial reign.
Jean was an exceptional organist and pianist, using her talents for the benefit of her Ecclesia and the pleasure of her family. Once she was unable to travel, she participated virtually from Alabama Oaks on Sundays & for Wednesday night Bible classes every week until her last. Jean (& Tom) had 5 grandchildren, Aaron (Paula) Strickland, Lucas Stanton, Katie (Joel) Diliberto, Whitney (Sam) Tucker, and Robyn (Grant) Northey, who were all blessed to grow up in the tender love of their grandparents. She (& Tom) had 8 great grandchildren who were all old enough to return to Grammy Jean the love she had for them, Emily Strickland, Amos Diliberto, Ryan Strickland, Della Diliberto, Tate Diliberto, Benny Diliberto, Gideon Tucker and Indiana Tucker.