Obituary of Jean Toombs

Jean Toombs passed from her active life to a state of Christian peace after a battle with cancer that began in August of 2011. She lived in State College with her husband since 1971, for the last seven years in Foxdale Village. Philadelphia was the place of her birth to Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Scott Buckley who also had two older girls, Winifred Riorden and Betty Buckley. All predeceased her. Jean attended the Philadelphia public schools graduating from Olney High School then taking accounting studies at the Technical School of Temple University. In March of 1943 she married William Toombs, became a Navy wife and moved to Chicago. Her first child, Scott, was born there. When her husband was ordered to sea, she and her new son returned to live with her parents for several years. In the busy post war years she was active with the Women's Club at Drexel Institute where her husband was a faculty member. For two summers they worked in the mountains with John MacBean, a YMCA director selected build one of the early efforts at intercultural camping. Jean brought her second child, baby Gwenyth, to the second summer of life in the woods. In all the years until the mid1960's Jean devoted her efforts to productive work with her children, the church and community projects. The League of Women Voters was one such activity. Hosting students from abroad and new faculty was another. During the Korean emergency they moved to Washington as her husband was recalled to Navy duty. A third child, David, was born at Bethesda Naval Hospital. It was back to Drexel and the community of Lansdowne when the emergency ended. These were the family years. Jean gave all her energy to the schooling and development of her three children. This included music, dancing, horsemanship and swimming competition with the famous Vesper Club. In1966 she returned to Keystone Business School for refresher courses in advance of a major family move to Ann Arbor. Her husband entered the Rackham Graduate School then took a position at the University of Michigan. Jean took on responsibility in the Treasurer's Office for Ann Arbor, a situation she found challenging and rewarding. As the family moved on to college, to Viet Nam service, and to active sports programs Jean's business career advanced. Yet another path opened when her husband had an opportunity for research and graduate teaching at Penn State and the children had moved on. State College offered a rare opportunity for Jean to pick up personal activities. Ice skating, ping pong, and tennis moved to the top of a schedule that even included places at the Senior Games. This was a time of great personal opportunity and included a term as President of the University Women's Club and active bridge schedules. Travel abroad has been extensive with two long stays in England and others in Venezuela, Canada, and France. The children,all grown and educated before their parents began a thirty year residence in State College, found homes in Connecticut, Michigan, and California. These proved to be great places to visit especially for Jean to help with new grandchildren. Her children are W. Scott Toombs of New Canaan,CT, Gwenyth Carton of Bakersfield, CA, and David E, Toombs of Lowell. MI. There are ten grandchildren. A simple Memorial Service will be held at the State College Presbyterian Church, 132 West Beaver Avenue on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow. Floral gifts are not invited. Those who wish to may make gifts to Foxdale Village, whose staff has been exceptionally caring, the State College Presbyterian Church, the Women's Resource Center, and the American Friends Service Committee. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com.