Jean Day

Jean Day passed away peacefully on Monday, September 16, 2024, at the age of 90 after a short bout of pancreatic cancer. Born in Wichita, Kansas to Faye and Dell Johnson, she had two brothers, Bill and her twin Jack. Jean met Ray, her husband of 70 years, while earning her teaching degree at Wichita State. They traveled the world while Ray served in Army and she taught elementary children of all nationalities: American, Marshallese, Egyptian, Norwegian, Japanese. Teaching the international children in Europe was one of her greatest teaching joys. She was a wonderful and loving mother to her son Steven and his wife Jodi, and her daughter Tammy and her children Nathan and Daniel. When Ray retired in 1997, they moved to Sarasota, Florida to be close to their son Steven, a Tampa Bay Pilot. Their retired life was spent enjoying each other’s company while traveling the world, skiing, kayaking in Sarasota Bay, attending theater and symphonies in Sarasota, volunteering at Mote Aquarium, and enjoying sailing at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Her social life consisted of events with the Military Officers’ Association of Sarasota where she and Ray forged many strong friendships. For eighteen years, well into her 80s, she played golf twice a week with the Bobby Jones Women’s Golf Association, developing a 70 handicap. Throughout her life, her creative side was expressed through playing piano, interior design, gardening, cooking, creating stained glass, and handicrafts. She loved good music, good books, and the good life, but most of all she loved people; always the encourager, kindness flowed from her. She saw the best in people and anticipated their needs. We all have been touched by her kindness and will miss her. She is survived by her husband, Ray; her daughter Tammy; her daughter-in-law Jodi; her grandson Nathan; and her grandson Daniel and his wife, Colleen. The funeral will be held at 11:30 am, on Tuesday, September 24, at the Sarasota National Cemetary. Attendees are asked to arrive at the Administration Building no later than 11:15 and stay in your cars until we proceed together to the outdoor pavilion for the short 30-minute service. There will be no reception afterwards. Flowers are not recommended at this venue. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to your favorite charity. Eulogy given by her daughter Tammy Kraus Open with Doris Day singing: When I was just a little girl I asked my mother What will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich? Here's what she said to me "Que sera, sera Whatever will be, will be The future's not ours to see Que sera, sera What will be, will be" Dear Mom, Mom, one of my cherished memories is of you singing this to me every night at bedtime. Little did I know then, that “What will be will be” would become your life motto, a great one to hold onto as the Army moved us almost every year, sometimes to places we had never heard of. A line from the song that sticks out to me now is … I asked my lover, “What lies ahead? Will we have rainbows, day after day?” Without a doubt, we have lived a life of rainbows. I have enjoyed joining you and Dad on the lanai, sipping a bubbly and reminiscing about what an idyllic life we’ve had, thanks to the Army. We have lived in many places State-side and overseas – each place special in its own way, thanks to you. Each move, you (and Dad) approached it as a new adventure. You’d embrace each moment, each place, and each culture, as an opportunity to learn and experience new things. You taught Steve and I how to embrace each place with excitement. Making learning about new places fun came naturally to you since your gift is teaching. You taught in many schools, including the American School of Luxembourg where you taught international students from all over Europe. What impressed me the most was how you harnessed your creativity to reach each student--challenging the gifted students and encouraging the slow ones. Mom, you are a huge reason our lives were filled with rainbow experiences. You were so supportive of Dad’s career, making the best of some “different” situations. One thing you embraced from your Army wife days, was entertaining, becoming the hostess with the mostest and making entertaining look easy. You inspired me to cook and entertain. I’m thankful that in retirement, you found great friends in the Military Officers Association that also like to entertain and would take turns hosting themed parties from recent travels. I’m glad you were fortunate enough and healthy enough to be able to travel so extensively in your golden years. You always had a heart for others; you are the embodiment of kindness and cheerfulness. You did for others not because you had to, but because you wanted to …your beautiful soul just could not help it. I think your biggest and most rewarding priority in life was your marriage. You nurtured your relationship with Dad, often sacrificing your own desires. To you (and Dad) marriage was more than just growing old and sharing a space together. It was a relationship where you shared everything, including your fears and vulnerability. Through trust and genuine love and care for one another, you learned to value each other and were the best of friends. Mom, you and Dad were just as much in love on your 70th anniversary this year as you were when you were first married. Both you and Dad exemplified quality love both of each other and others. And now, your end is here And so you face your final curtain Dear Mom, I’ll say it clear I'll state your case, of which I'm certain You’ve lived a life that's full You’ve traveled each and every highway And more, much more than this You did it your way To view Mr. Ray Day's obituary, type his name in the search bar.

Tributes

Jean Day

September 16, 2024