Jean Harvey

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Jean Harvey made the most of the days she was given while making priceless memories with the ones she loved. She was one of the sweetest people around, and she could always be counted on to help others in ways both great and small. From the moment she became a mother it seemed to be a role that was tailor made just for Jean, and she was filled with unspeakable joy when her family tree blossomed to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren she treasured more than life itself. Although life will never be the same without Jean here, but the timeless legacy she leaves behind will be proudly carried on by those who follow her.

Although the 1920s were primarily a prosperous time in American history the 1930s were a much different story as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. With jobs that became difficult to come by the unemployment rate soared to over 25 percent, and people did whatever they could to make ends meet. Things only went from bad to worse when a harsh drought gripped the nation’s heartland for nearly two years, adding strain to an already crippled agricultural industry. Despite the trying times around them, a young couple from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was delighted with the birth of their healthy baby girl on December 23, 1937. Jean was one of two children born to her parents, Kenneth and Mary Jane (Anderson) Sowles, and she was raised in the family home in Oshtemo alongside her brother, Chuck.

In many ways Jean experienced an upbringing that was typical for the youth of her generation. She developed a strong work ethic as a young girl when she took part in helping with the farm chores. An animal lover at heart, Jean also had several pets that she was responsible to care for. She was an amazing older sister who loved to dote over her little brother once he was born. To support his family, Jean’s father worked as a mechanic while her mother worked at Gibson Guitar. Jean was a student at local schools and was a twirling team member in high school, performing at various Kalamazoo Central High School sporting events. She went on to graduate from high school as part of the class of 1956. While in the workforce Jean worked as an operator for Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

Life was forever changed for Jean when she met the man with whom she would write a love story that would span more than 50 years. His name was George “Norm” Harvey, and sparks flew right from the start. It wasn’t long before the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together the sweethearts became husband and wife in the late fifties. Together Jean and Norm were blessed to welcome two sons, Jeff and Greg, into their hearts and home. As mothers go, Jean’s sons would say that they had the very best as she devoted herself to caring for their needs and was there at any time.

While their children were growing up, Norm and Jean moved all over the country calling places like Chicago, San Diego, and Dallas, Texas, home through the years. No matter where they were living, Jean focused her time and attention on making her home a place that was filled with love and a haven from the outside world. Later in life Jean was filled with unspeakable joy when grandchildren arrived, and through the years she was blessed to call seven grandchildren her own. Some of these grandchildren later made Jean a great-grandmother of two.

Throughout her life there were numerous experiences that greatly enriched Jean’s days. One of the times she treasured most was when she was rafting down the Colorado River. Jean enjoyed cooking for family and friends, which is something that they greatly appreciated as everything she made was fantastic. Craft projects kept her busy in addition to searching for treasures at yard sales as she enjoyed collecting old books and knickknacks of all kinds. When it came to music, Elvis was Jean’s favorite.

Jean was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She had a testimony of Jesus Christ and of her Savior. She had served in the Primary, Young Women’s, and the Relief Society in wards in Michigan, Illinois, California, and Texas. She cherished the many friends she had made in the wards they lived in.

All who knew Jean Harvey would agree that she was a woman who was beautiful on the inside and out. Through the life she lived each day she exemplified the notion that it is not in what we have that we find happiness, rather, it is in the love we share with those around us that we are richly blessed. Jean was a woman who was content in whatever life brought, and she embraced both the peaks and valleys along her entire journey. She will be deeply missed while her memory remains forever near and dear to the hearts and lives of those she leaves behind. Her family appreciates the Kalamazoo Ward for all their love and support over the last couple of years helping Jean.

Jean Harvey died on February 14, 2014, at the Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo. Jean’s family includes her husband, George “Norm” Harvey; two sons: Jeff (Kim) Harvey and Greg (Linda) Harvey; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; brother, Charles (Kay) Sowles; one niece and two nephews. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 7, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900). Burial at West Oshtemo Cemetery. Please visit Jean’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of her and sign her online guestbook.