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In memory of

Jean S. Moorhead

Oakland, CA, USA

January 13, 1927 - July 9, 2019

Jan 13, 1927 - Jul 9, 2019

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JEAN MOORHEAD, beloved wife of Bob and mother of Mary, Bob and Jane, passed away on July 9, 2019. Having suffered from Alzheimer’s for many years, she died peacefully in her sleep at Piedmont Gardens in Oakland.

Born Jean Varina Stem in Akron, Ohio in 1927 she moved shortly afterwards to El Monte, California with her parents, William and Olive Stem, and four siblings: sisters Mary, Martha and Bobbie, and brother, Bill. She graduated from UCLA and married Bob on August 14, 1949.

Her devout belief in love and non-violence, born in part from her brother’s death at the end of World War II, manifested itself in the raising of her own family. Marching for Civil Rights, protesting to end the Vietnam War, advocating for the sufferers of AIDS, or serving as an officer in the League of Women Voters, her children were often found at her side. Her home was always open to those in need of love and support, whether it be international exchange students, children struggling with the loss of a parent, or adults feeling rejected because of their sexual identity.

She and Bob began their life together in Santa Barbara, moving to Berkeley in 1952 and then to Balfour Ave. in Oakland in 1959 where they lived for over 40 years. After a short time in San Leandro, they moved to Piedmont Gardens in Oakland in 2011. All three children attended Oakland public school and UC Berkeley, Each went into public service careers, two
as teachers and one as a paramedic/firefighter.

Jean made her most indelible mark as the director of Broadway Children’s School, a progressive nursery school, that has served the children of the East Bay for sixty years. In 1983 the city of Oakland honored her work in childhood education and service to the community by naming her Mother of the Year. A year later, the parents of the many children she taught paid tribute to Jean, a lifetime fan of the San Francisco Giants, when they arranged for her to throw out the first pitch at a Giants game.

Jean adored music and was an outstanding pianist, whose repertoire of songs was legendary. Whether playing at Sunday services at the First United Methodist Church in Oakland, at Chaparral House Eldercare, or in her home for friends and family, she brought incredible joy to her audience. Her love of music has been passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Jean is survived by her husband of nearly seventy years, her three children, their spouses, (Rich Howard, Amy Tichenor Moorhead, and Bob Heady), her five beloved grandchildren, (Rachel, Celia, Andrew, Zach, and Emma), and her sister, Bobbie Webb.

A memorial will be held at the Joaquin Miller Community Center, 3594 Sanborn Dr., Oakland, on August 5, 2019, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/site/Dona…) League of Women Voters (https://tinyurl.com/y6omkyuz) and Broadway Children’s School (https://www.broadwaychildrens…)

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