B. Jean Hart Obituary (1925 - 2013)

B. Jean Hart, age 87, of Painted Post, NY died Friday, January 4, 2013 at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, NY. Jean was born on November 12, 1925 in Corning to Francis and Marguerite (Arnold) Hoffman. She married Edward Hart on April 10, 1948 in St. Patrick's Church in Corning and was preceded in death by him in 2004. Jean worked for Iszards Department Store at the Mall for several years and in later years she enjoyed volunteering in pre admission testing at Corning Hospital. Jean was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved to travel around the US with her husband, and also enjoyed cooking, reading, and spending time with family. She was a firecracker with a sharp tongue and lively sense of humor, always speaking her mind. She was a strong woman! There were many fun filled times with grand and great grandchildren. She was considered the mother hen of the family holding everyone together. A favorite pastime was singing in the car. We will miss her laughter and love, but her memorable personality will never be forgotten. She had a special great granddaughter, Alana, who lived next door; they took care of each other. When Jean died, Alana said "we can still talk to Gramma in heaven by wishing upon a star." She is survived by two daughters, Susan (Steven) Preset of Corning and Kathleen (Steven) Stewart of Bath; son, Mark (Debbie) Hart of Painted Post; grandchildren, Stephanie VanGesen of Painted Post, Kim Hart of Burlington, VT, Kristen Stewart of Bath, Jennifer (Bruce Long) Preset of Wilmington, NC, Lindsey Hart of Willits, CA, and Steven (Becky) Preset II of Lindley; great grandchildren, Katelynd, Tristan, Melani, Hunter, Claye, and Alana; a niece, Pam (Ken) Lewis of Elmira; and a nephew, Joe Gibbons, Jr. of Tampa, FL. She was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Gibbons Nelson, and by a brother, Francis Hoffman. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Haughey Funeral Home, Inc., 216 East First Street in Corning. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Corning. Memorial donations may be made to Tanner's PAWS, PO Box 1125 Corning, NY 14830 or to National MS Society, Upstate NY Chapter, and 1650 South Avenue, Suite 100, Rochester, NY 14620-3901.