OBITUARY- Jean C. Kilgore

Jean C. Kilgore, 94, died Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Poets Seat Health Care Center in Greenfield, Mass.

She was born in Waltham, Mass., on March 13, 1919, the daughter of Hugh and Helen (Johnson) Schaufus. She attended Waltham schools and received a diploma from the School of Practical Art, Boston, in 1939, attending with financial support from the Sears scholarship fund of Waltham. She began working as a commercial artist and draftsman until she married G. Mallard "Mal" Kilgore in 1943. They lived in Waltham together until his death in 1995. She remained on in their home in Cedarwood until the last year of her life.

She was predeceased by her siblings: Elsa Parenteau of Littleton, Mass., Margaret Childs of Littleton, Mass., Helen Grusmark of Barrington, RI., and also Carl Schaufus, who died in his youth. She leaves two daughters, Jane M. "Jenny" Kilgore (and partner Larry Morrisson) of Northfield, Mass., and Rebecca L. Kilgore (and husband Dick Titterington) of Portland, Oregon. She will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews and their children, especially Martha Childs of Littleton, Lucinda Childs of Hardwick, and Judy Besso of Westford.

She was a vibrant person, who expressed her creativity in her home, by tackling ambitious redecorating projects and by sewing clothing for herself and her daughters. She was involved with the church community of the First Parish in Waltham, Unitarian Universalist, where she had many friends, and participated in the church fair, the annual cabaret production, and for many years at the Waltham Clothing Exchange at First Parish. Also of importance in her life was singing in the church choir. Directed by her husband Mal, the choir sang for services and also staged concerts of some of the great choral works, the melodies of which often sprang from her lips at unexpected moments.

She resumed her drafting career when her children were older, working at JL Thomson in Waltham, continuing after recovery from a stroke that affected her vision.

Arrangements under the care of DEE FUNERAL HOME OF CONCORD, Susan M. Dee and Charles W. Dee, Jr., Funeral Directors.

To share a remembrance in the online guest book, please visit www.deefuneralhome.com

Memorials:
Memorial contributions are per individual discretion, although Jean was a supporter and patron of the Waltham Public Library for many years.


Service:
There are no formal memorials planned. Family members will gather to scatter her ashes