Jean Colburn

Jean Elizabeth Swartz Colburn of Mt. Airy MD passed away at the age of 87 on September 24th, 2011, at her home. Jean was born on May 8th, 1924 to late Bert Own Swartz and late Lillian Burton Swartz in Washington D.C. Jean received a Master’s in Business Administration and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Maryland. Jean led an illustrious professional life. She served in the Civilian Employee Department of the Army at the Pentagon. From 1954-1955 Jean was a history teacher and a physical education teacher at the Mt. Airy High School. She also worked at Mt. Airy’s Community Reporter as Editor from the mid 1960’s until 1966. In addition, Jean worked for the Federal Government at Fort Belvoir in Personnel. She also held the position of Chief of Classification for the Washington D.C. Government until her retirement in 1984. When Jean moved to Mt. Airy in 1953 she found her second calling as a community volunteer. She joined the Grand Chapter Maryland Order of the Eastern Star and earned the honor of being both a Past Worthy Matron and a Past Grand Conductress. Jean was a Past President of the Mt. Airy PTA and worked tirelessly to keep Mt Airy High School in Mt. Airy. She also taught Sunday School at Calvary United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Prayer Chain Committee until 2011. Jean was also a member of the Mt. Airy Garden Club and a member of the Ki-Wives. Soon, Jean’s dealings with the community were also funneled through Mt. Airy NET. Jean served as President of the Board and also as Director. Jean was involved with Mt. Airy NET from 1993-2006. For all of her service to the community Jean was awarded several honors. She was inducted into the Mt. Airy Hall of Fame as a Community Volunteer/Good Samaritan on 3/20/2001. The Mt. Airy Rotary Club declared her a Person of Distinction in 2005. Jean is predeceased by her husband late Ivan Bradley Colburn. She is survived by her three children; Carol Ann Hulver, William Bradley Colburn Sr. and his wife Wilma Colburn, and Dawn Elizabeth Bay. She is survived by a niece Judy Kraus and her husband John Kraus, Great niece Joy Dyer and her husband Scott Dyer. She is also survived by grandchildren; Jennifer and Rich Knorr, Denise and Rick Ruth, Christopher Hulver, William Bradley Colburn Jr., Robert and Leigh Bay, and Kari Bay. Great grandchildren are; Michael Joyce, Emily Knorr, Rachel Ruth, Allison Knorr, Nicholas Hulver, Joshua Knorr, Tyler Hulver, and Sarah Hulver. Jean is also survived by a great great nephew Joseph Dyer. Viewings will be held at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA, 1212 W. Old Liberty Road, Winfield, MD (Beside South Carroll High School) on September 28th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm, with an Eastern Star Service during a viewing at the Funeral home; and A third viewing will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church, 403 S. Main Street, Mt. Airy on September 29th at 10am followed by the funeral service at 11am. Interment Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, MD. Pallbearers will be Christopher Hulver, William Bradley Colburn Jr., Robert Bay, Rich Knorr, Rick Ruth, Joel Bohning, John Kraus, and Scott Dyer. Honorary pallbearers will be Jennifer Knorr, Denise Ruth, Kari Bay, Leigh Bay, Regina Atwood, Joy Dyer, Judy Kraus, JoAnn Heenan, Don Wall, and Donna Yates. Memorial Contributions can be made to: Calvary U.M. Church, 403 S. Main Street, Mt. Airy, MD 21771.
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