Jean McKeown

Jean Daphne McKeown, 95, passed away on April 7, 2023. She is predeceased by her parents, Rudolph and Elizabeth; her brothers Rudolph, Arthur, Keith; sister Pauline; husband James; and granddaughter Sarah.
She is survived by her children: daughter and “best pal” Susan, daughter Beverley (Todd), son Stephen (Beth), and granddaughter Laura.
Jean was born July 26, 1927, in Hove, England – a town that provided the backdrop for many fond memories. Some of her earliest were of long walks with her father along the seafront to the Sussex Downs where the remains of ancient buildings intrigued her. In season, the abundance of primroses and bluebells provided a nice bouquet for her mother. The beachfront was the setting for many summer activities – picnics, watching tennis on the Hove Lawns, and the Hove Bandstand that likely ignited her love of music.
Always one not to dwell on hardship or misfortune, Jean learned early during the two years that she wore leg braces for a foot condition, to run in those restraints and was a popular pick for dashes in school. She also participated in synchronized swimming and a water ballet team as a young girl. Jean described her life in Hove as “idyllic” prior to the cloud of World War 2.
The summer of 1939 brought uncertainty. Walks along the seafront were stopped as barbed wire fencing was installed. She recalled that purchases of black fabric to cover windows and doorways replaced more frivolous buys, forbearing the start of World War 2. The nightly bombings soon disrupted the idyllic seafront setting. Jean had first-hand accounts of these bombings, as girl running home from school amidst a daily strafing of shrapnel. As a first aid volunteer with the Red Cross and Saint John’s Ambulance, she suffered a head wound while in a building besieged by a bomb. As the war continued, Jean’s family contributed to the war effort, doing their part for England, something she was especially proud of. Later in the war, Jean worked as a bookkeeper at the local theater. During air raids, she would play the piano as other staff entertained the patrons until the all-clear had sounded.
After the war, she worked as a bookkeeper at Sainsbury’s, even though she was told at school that she would never be good at math! She loved to travel abroad and enjoyed trips to Switzerland, Belgium, France, and Germany – becoming known as “Miss United Nations” by her coworkers due to her many foreign friends and travel abroad. It was during one of these trips that she met her husband Jim.
Jean was a beacon of strength for her family. This strength was instrumental in helping her family heal after her beloved brother Arthur passed unexpectedly when Jean was in her early twenties; and with her youngest brother, born with Down’s Syndrome – taking him to hockey games and the movies, often coming home and playing the film’s music from memory on the piano.
In 1966, after caring for her terminally ill mother, she and her young family embarked on a new chapter in life, moving to the United States. As Jean possessed a deep love of King and country, she was admittedly homesick at first. The move was not easy for Jean, as in the late 1960’s, although allies, the US and Great Britain were very different culturally. With a strong moral compass, she strived to do the right thing and treat everyone with respect. Jean embraced this new life and focused on what was most important to her – being a dedicated and devoted wife and mother and eventually “Nanny” to her grand-daughters. Jean was proud of being a homemaker and saw her biggest accomplishment as raising her three children. She volunteered at The Hospital in Sidney and was a Brownie Troop leader. She was an outstanding cook – Sunday roast was a British tradition she carried on for years. She was known for the array of foods she served as hostess for various clubs and social gatherings. Not a school day passed where her children weren’t welcomed at the door with the aroma of freshly baked treats.
Jean loved animals, a trait she credited to her childhood and her father. In England, for example, a cat was run over by a car and left for dead in the middle of the road. Not wanting to see the cat suffer, she crossed traffic, picked up the cat and took it to its owners. Years later, Jean was pleased to find out that the cat went on the live a long and happy life.
In later years, she traveled frequently back and forth to England, visiting friends and family. The highlight of this travel were trips on the Concorde Supersonic Jet. Several of her acquaintances in England were leading British jazz musicians and Jean was the inspiration for Cleo Laine’s song Quality Time.
In contrast to Jim’s stern demeanor, Jean was full of laughter and fun, especially for her children. Without her frivolity, their childhood could have all too easily been dark, regimented and uninspiring. Jean would do anything for her children. She encouraged their creativity, taught them respect, to be fair, kind, and polite, and to look for the best in people…and to always put on a smile. She was an inspiration to her children – to persevere and do your best, even when tired; to do the right thing, even when it’s not popular; and to live with honesty, integrity, and sincerity – even when it hurts.
Jean and her daughters had a special bond that was priceless. We will miss her quick wit and British humor, her kindness, generosity, modesty, and unwavering love and support. We were fortunate and blessed to have such a wonderful mother whose smile and warmth will be missed tremendously. You are truly in your girls’ hearts forever. The three musketeers are now two, who will honor your legacy and make you proud. Our love always. Thank you, Mum.
A private service will be held in Hove, England at a later date. Donations in Jean’s memory are suggested to Born Free USA, 8737 Colesville Road, Suite 715, Silver Spring, MD 20910.