Jean Andrews

Jean Andrews, 90, a long time resident of New Philadelphia, died peacefully Thursday evening, April 2, 2009 in New Dawn Retirement Community at Dover.A daughter of the late Carroll and Ila (Bechold) Wright, Jean was born in her childhood home at New Philadelphia, Ohio on July 30, 1918.Jean was a 1936 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. She continued her formal education at Ohio University where she graduated in 1940 with a Bachelor’s degree in Art. She then continued her graduate studies in Native American Art & Pottery at the University of Colorado.After completing her education, Jean taught art in the New Philadelphia School District. During World War II, she volunteered to serve in the United States Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services) teaching naval aviators instrument flying. On May 31, 1947, Jean married Fred Andrews in the First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia. Together the couple reared three children, Rebecca, Bruce and William.Jean returned to teaching at New Philadelphia and Garaway School District, retiring in 1975.Jean led an active life that entailed a variety of interests. She obviously had an interest in art and was most fond of copper enameling. In 1947, she was the first woman to receive a private pilot’s license at Harry Clever Airfield. Jean also had a passion for traveling which took her to many place across North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. She dedicated much of her spare time to different organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, Ohio Arts & Crafts Guild, New Philadelphia Home Health Board, National Huguenot Society, Tuscarawas County Public Library Board, American Association of University Women and Dover Historical Society.Because of her commitment to her students, her school and her community, Jean was honored as a retired educator of the New Philadelphia School District by the Quaker Foundation in 1999.She is survived by her loving Husband of 61 years, Dr. Fred “Wheaties” Andrews; her children and their spouses, Rebecca and Bill Welfley of Dover, Bruce and Maureen Andrews of Columbus, Ohio and William and Cathy Andrews of Dublin, Ohio; six grandchildren, Rachel, Benjamin and Matthew Welfley all of Dover and Daniel (Katera) Welfley of Canton, Stephen (Melissa) Andrews of Dublin, Ohio and Brian (Lindsay) Andrews of Jerome, Ohio; four great grandchildren, Madelyn, Elizabeth, Jack and Olivia Andrews and a niece, Ila (Steve) Buescher of Lyndhurst, Ohio.Jean was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Barbara Makee.Jean’s family will receive friends on Monday, April 6, 2009 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. In keeping with Jean’s wishes, funeral and burial services will be private.Contributions may be made in Jean’s memory to the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, P.O. Box 92, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.