Obituary of Jean Thomson Stratton
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend died peacefully on July 28, 2019 at age 93, with daughters at her side. Predeceased by husband of 68 years, the Rev. Dr. Charles F. Stratton, and their infant son, James Andrew.
Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and St. Catharines, Ontario. A graduate of Alma College in St. Thomas, Ontario, she studied art at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY and worked as an illustrator for Brigdens Limited, an advertising firm in Toronto, following her graduation. After marriage, she served the Presbyterian Church in Iran in the cities of Meshed and Teheran, working as an art teacher and hospital visitor. She shared in a vocation of service and hospitality, supporting her husband’s ministry in congregations in Cornwall-on-Hudson, Ballston Spa, Youngstown, and Glens Falls, NY. Jean is remembered for her sparkling charisma, lively curiosity, and boundless creativity, expressed in every dimension of her life as an artist, calligrapher, gardener, homemaker, and gracious hostess. She was proud of her Canadian heritage, ever loyal to her homeland, and sought to reach across divisions among people as a peacemaker. An avid reader and student of life, she maintained a wide variety of interests and was an exceptionally skillful conversationalist. Magnanimous and generous in spirit, she cultivated a wide network of relationships with sincere interest and concern for the welfare of others. She showered her grandchildren with affection and attention, and thrived in their loving company. With joy and gratitude, she offered warm hospitality to visitors wherever she lived, and took particular delight in welcoming guests to the manse in Youngstown and the Adirondack camp she and her husband built.
Survived by son, David (Wendy) Stratton of Dickinson, TX; daughters Anne Stratton and Amelia (Scott) Stratton-Smith of Rochester, NY; daughter Ellen Stratton (Bill Westhafer) of Malvern, PA. Also survived by four grandchildren: Thomson Westhafer, James (Kara) Westhafer, Jeremy Stratton-Smith, and Lydia Stratton-Smith. Jean’s family extends deep gratitude to the staff and community at The Rochester Presbyterian Home and URMC Hospice for their extraordinary kindness and excellent care.
A Memorial Service in celebration of Jean’s life will be held at the Rochester Presbyterian Home VIEW MAP on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 10:45 a.m.
Memorial Donations may be given to: The Rochester Presbyterian Home, 256 Thurston Rd, Rochester, NY 14619 DONATE ONLINE
or
WXXI Memorial Gifts, 280 State Street, Rochester, NY 14614 DONATE ONLINE