Jean
Jean Macfarlane Easterling
d. October 29, 2021
Jeanie MacFarlane Easterling, 92, passed away peacefully Thursday evening October 28, 2021 at St. Joseph's Hospital with her daughter holding her hand and where she began her Savannah nursing career in 1969. Jean was born in Hamilton Scotland to Alexander and Charlotte Dewar on January 31, 1929. During her childhood, she and her older sister Lottie experienced black-out curtains and bombing raids during World War II. At school, she collected leather bound classic novels that she still owns.
In the mid-50s, she left home for London and met her best friend Enid White. They traveled across Europe, spent time in The Netherlands and eventually settled in Paris. In Paris, they both met their future American husbands. Jean and Enid have remained best friends for over 70 years and enjoyed a lengthy conversation recently. Jean went to work for American Express and met a young teller Bill Easterling. As head teller, Jean had to correct Bill's errors at the end of the day. In spite of that, Jean and Bill fell in love and married in Paris in 1958. They moved to Vermont in 1959 where their daughter Chrissie was born. They made their way down the east coast to Georgia. While living in Athens GA, they met a young man, Andrew Smith, whose parents were from Scotland. Andrew invited them to visit his family in Savannah for Thanksgiving. Jean and Bill fell in love with Historic Savannah. They bought their first home on beautiful Jones Street a few years later. They spent many happy times with Andrew and his wife Bonnie. Jean and family lived in Historic Savannah and restored several houses until the late 80s.
When Jean wanted to go to nursing school in the mid-60s, she found that married women were not permitted to attend the registered nursing program. As times changed, she earned her LPN, RN and BSN ultimately graduating from Armstrong State College. She worked at all the hospitals in Savannah until retirement. Before she retired, her grandchildren Betsy and Mac Jr, were born. She spent many happy times with them including a favorite activity of baking ginger cookies and traveling on multi-generational Elderhostel trips. She also went on many Elderhostel trips with her travel companion, Marieta Winter. Jean loved politics, was an avid watcher of C-SPAN and enjoyed heated debates with her son-in-law. She delivered Meals on Wheels for many years and gave them Scottish shortbread at Christmas often accompanied by Betsy and Mac Jr.
Jean loved her grandchildren and their spouses, and she happily welcomed two great-grandchildren into the world.
Jean is survived by: Chrissie and Mac Burriss, Dr Betsy Burriss and Dr. Alex Faigen, Mac Jr and Megan Burriss and great granddaughters, Lillie Burriss and Maren Faigen. Caroline Yeo and Janice, Martin, Tom and Hannah Gillett from England.
There will be no service.
Jean was a 51 year survivor of breast cancer. She was a faithful 32 year donor to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in honor of her two healthy grandchildren. If you would like to make a donation, please consider St. Jude's, Meals on Wheels or American Cancer Society.
In the mid-50s, she left home for London and met her best friend Enid White. They traveled across Europe, spent time in The Netherlands and eventually settled in Paris. In Paris, they both met their future American husbands. Jean and Enid have remained best friends for over 70 years and enjoyed a lengthy conversation recently. Jean went to work for American Express and met a young teller Bill Easterling. As head teller, Jean had to correct Bill's errors at the end of the day. In spite of that, Jean and Bill fell in love and married in Paris in 1958. They moved to Vermont in 1959 where their daughter Chrissie was born. They made their way down the east coast to Georgia. While living in Athens GA, they met a young man, Andrew Smith, whose parents were from Scotland. Andrew invited them to visit his family in Savannah for Thanksgiving. Jean and Bill fell in love with Historic Savannah. They bought their first home on beautiful Jones Street a few years later. They spent many happy times with Andrew and his wife Bonnie. Jean and family lived in Historic Savannah and restored several houses until the late 80s.
When Jean wanted to go to nursing school in the mid-60s, she found that married women were not permitted to attend the registered nursing program. As times changed, she earned her LPN, RN and BSN ultimately graduating from Armstrong State College. She worked at all the hospitals in Savannah until retirement. Before she retired, her grandchildren Betsy and Mac Jr, were born. She spent many happy times with them including a favorite activity of baking ginger cookies and traveling on multi-generational Elderhostel trips. She also went on many Elderhostel trips with her travel companion, Marieta Winter. Jean loved politics, was an avid watcher of C-SPAN and enjoyed heated debates with her son-in-law. She delivered Meals on Wheels for many years and gave them Scottish shortbread at Christmas often accompanied by Betsy and Mac Jr.
Jean loved her grandchildren and their spouses, and she happily welcomed two great-grandchildren into the world.
Jean is survived by: Chrissie and Mac Burriss, Dr Betsy Burriss and Dr. Alex Faigen, Mac Jr and Megan Burriss and great granddaughters, Lillie Burriss and Maren Faigen. Caroline Yeo and Janice, Martin, Tom and Hannah Gillett from England.
There will be no service.
Jean was a 51 year survivor of breast cancer. She was a faithful 32 year donor to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in honor of her two healthy grandchildren. If you would like to make a donation, please consider St. Jude's, Meals on Wheels or American Cancer Society.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jean Macfarlane Easterling, please visit our flower store.
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