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Jeanne's obituary

Jeanne “Jeannie” Morgan Cortner, age 86, passed away at her home surrounded by children on May 31st, 2018. She was born on May 16, 1932 in Nashville, Tennessee to Dr. Hugh Jackson Morgan and “Bobby” Porter Morgan. Known to many as “Bug”, Jeanne attended the Madeira School in Washington DC and Vanderbilt University in Nashville. She married Dr. Jean Alexander Cortner, a protégé of her father’s at the Vanderbilt Medical School. “He Jean and She Jeanne” Cortner, as they came to be known, had a wonderful life together. Jean’s medical career took them to New York City, Paris, Buffalo, NY and Philadelphia over time where they made wonderful memories and life long friends.

Jeanne’s southern hospitality and warm, generous spirit attracted people throughout her lifetime. She impacted the lives of many family members and friends. She had special friends from many different areas of her life, including The American Board of Pediatrics, “The Buffalo Chips”, her Philadelphia-area tennis group, Jackson Hole walking friends, Madeira Alumni, and several book clubs to name a few.

Jean was a social worker in her early adult years and was a champion for the underserved throughout her life. She focused many years raising her 3 children, John Alexander Cortner (1958-1987), Ruth Morgan Cortner York (b. 1960) and Stephen Lee Cortner (b. 1963). In 1976, she brought her impressive organizational talents, and zest for travel, to Rosenbluth Travel, where she specialized in arranging travel for Philadelphia-area physicians for many years. She brought her talents to many organizations as a volunteer throughout her life as well.

A wonderful compliment to “The Jeans’” lives in the East was their time at their family ranch in Jackson, Wyoming where horseback riding, fishing, and restoring old log cabins provided wonderful times with family and friends. They spent a few wonderful years at their ranch after Jean’s retirement before settling at Beaumont Retirement Community in Bryn Mawr, PA in 2002.

Jeanne was a devoted grandmother to 5 grandchildren. In her later years she had an amazing canine companion, Lily, who helped her spread good cheer throughout the grounds and hallways of Beaumont until Lily passed in 2017. Significant others in Jeanne’s life include her younger brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Carole Morgan, her older brother and sister-in-law, Hugh and Ann Morgan, and her dear friend Nancy Harris. She was preceded in death by her cherished sister Caroline Graham, beloved husband Jean, and adored son John.

A Memorial Service will be held on June 23rd, 2018 at 3 pm at Beaumont Retirement Community. The family will greet friends after the service until 5:00 pm. Jeanne’s ashes will eventually be scattered on the banks of the Snake River on her ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, like her husband’s and son’s before her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jeanne’s name to:
The Jean Cortner Endowed Chair of Pediatric Gastroenterology
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation
P.O. Box 781352
Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352

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Memories & condolences

Darrell and I have such fond memories of our times with Jeannie and Jean. Up at their ranch in Wyoming chasing a Moose …
Darrell and I have such fond memories of our times with Jeannie and Jean. Up at their ranch in Wyom…
Darrell and I have such fond memories of our times with Jeannie …
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL! You are a beautiful angel to us all and we miss you dearly. Our family is so fortunate to ha…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL! You are a beautiful angel to us all and we miss you dearly. Our family i…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL! You are a beautiful angel to us all an…
Ruth and Steve, we are so sorry that we can’t be there in person Saturday. We will certainly be there in spirit!

Jeann…
Ruth and Steve, we are so sorry that we can’t be there in person Saturday. We will certainly be th…
Ruth and Steve, we are so sorry that we can’t be there in person…
Dear Ruth and Stephen,

You mom will be much missed here in Buffalo, where her presence is still so often felt. I'm not …
Dear Ruth and Stephen,

You mom will be much missed here in Buffalo, where her presence is still so o…
Dear Ruth and Stephen,

You mom will be much missed here in Buffal…

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Jeanne Cortner