Jeanne Alford Pease's Obituary
Mrs. Pease (90), of Huntersville, NC, died Monday, October 4. She was born January 16, 1931 at her maternal grandparents’ home in East Nassau, NY, the daughter of Edith Johnson and George Peritz Alford.
She was the 4th cousin, three times removed, of Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th President of the United States and also was a distant cousin of the late Princess Diana of the United Kingdom.
Jeanne attended William Smith College, Geneva, NY, and graduated from Berkeley in East Orange, NJ. She lived in 19 different communities in New York State before moving to Huntersvile, NC in 1999.
In her career life she was an Engineering Assistant for NY Telephone and acting Public Relations Director for the Albany Area American Red Cross. After moving to Western New York, she was employed as a middle school teaching assistant, executive assistant of the Prudential Real Estate Investment - Ransom Oaks, and, later, as office manager for the Erie County 16th District Legislator.
Mrs. Pease served her communities as a Girl Scout Leader from Brownies through Cadets and Committees. She was active in the Jaycees serving as President in Watertown and Utica, NY.
A paraplegic and full-time wheelchair user since 1985, Jeanne continued to drive, shop, cook, and play golf. She founded Access Unlimited to assist other disabled people make their homes and businesses more accessible. She served Presbyterian Churches as Elder, Deacon, Women’s Association Treasurer and Circle Leader.
She was awarded the Presbyterian Church Honorary Life Membership in 1986. She also was named Volunteer of the Year by the Oakwood Nursing Facility of the Buffalo, NY Presbyterian Homes where she volunteered for ten years after being paralyzed.
Mrs. Pease is survived by her loving husband, Fred, of 70 years. She leaves a daughter, Audri Baker of Huntersville and a son, Jeffrey (Nancy) of Amherst, NY; four grandchildren: Kevin Baker, Diana (Dustyn) Bucher, Evan (Lauren) Pease, and Jared Pease; five great grandchildren and five first cousins.
A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, October 14th at 2:00pm at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cornelius, NC. The family will meet friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Dot Brown Scholarship Fund, Bethel Women’s Association, Bethel Church, 19920 Bethel Church Road, Cornelius, NC 28031.
Arrangements are in the care of James Funeral Home.
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