Jean Magee Stinson

JEAN MAGEE STINSON

ITHACA - Jean Magee Stinson, of Ithaca, died May 26, 2014 at the age of 91. Jean, the daughter of the late Emery E. and Fay V. Magee, was born in Iowa City and raised in Waterloo, Iowa along with her beloved identical twin sister, Jane Magee Loomis, who passed away in 2007.


Jean graduated from Vassar College in 1944 and received her M.S. in Botany in 1946 from Iowa State University. She then worked as a Research Assistant in the Department of Botany at Indiana University, where she met the man who would become her husband of 58 years, Harry T. Stinson, Jr., who predeceased her in 2008. After residing briefly in Williamsburg, Virginia, Jean lived for ten years in New Haven, and moved to Ithaca in 1962. Jean was an exceptional wife, mother, and grandmother, with a wonderful dry sense of humor, a sharp intellect, and an extremely caring nature. Jean volunteered in both formal and informal ways. She was especially devoted to the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca where she was active in many groups, including Presbyterian Women and the Friendship Center, and served for a term on the Board of Deacons. She volunteered at Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard into her 89th year. Jean loved to savor the beauty of an Ithaca spring.

Jean is survived by her son, David Stinson (Liz Ashford) of Ithaca; her daughters, Sara Stinson (Warren DeBoer) of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Martha Stinson of Salt Lake City; and her grandsons, Ted Stinson of San Diego and Walter Stinson of Brooklyn.

A memorial service will be held June 28, 2014 at 11:00 at the First Presbyterian Church. The family asks that those who wish to remember Jean make donations to the First Presbyterian Church, 315 North Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. Arrangements are by Bangs Funeral Home.