Obituary for Jean Candlish Kelchner
Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother & Great-Grandmother
Jean Candlish Kelchner of Woodland Park, NJ passed away in her sleep early on the morning of October 10, 2019 at the age of 86. Born in Augusta, AR on December 23, 1932, she obtained both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Kean University in NJ, where she also went on to teach English and Humanities. She was a church leader for several decades as an organist and choir director, and was most recently a parishioner of Saint Philip the Apostle Church in Woodland Park.
Jean dedicated her life to empowering women. From her days as an educator at girls’ schools early in her career, to her work with the American Association of University Women, she was always a strong advocate for women’s education. A lover of words and member of the International Women's Writing Guild, she was the author of four books, all helmed by strong female protagonists. Most recently, she founded and led a Women’s Film Club in her local community, which she grew to 160 monthly attendees over the past 12 years.
Jean was a force of nature who was deeply loved. She will be missed by many, but especially by her adoring surviving family members: her husband of 67 years, Charles Joseph Kelchner; her children Linda (Bill Lenihan) Kosnik, Elizabeth “Betsy” (Michael) Goor, and Charles (Gina) Kelchner; her grandchildren Michelle, John, Tim, Rachel, Matthew, CJ, Dakota, and Luke; as well as her great-grandchildren Jaxson, Brody, Ford, and Georgia. She is also survived by a brother, Steven Faircloth. She is preceded in death by two beloved daughters, Cathy and Sharon Kelchner.
Jean considered herself a late bloomer, and her work to support fellow "sleeping beauties" will live on through her writing; although her spirit is resting now, her words will continue to help women break free of expectations to fulfill their true potential.
Visitors will be received at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-6 p.m.
The funeral will be Monday, October 14, 2019 from the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre St., Nutley at 8:45 a.m.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Philip the Apostle Church located at 797 Valley Road, Clifton, NJ at 10:00 a.m Monday, October 14, 2019.
Her cremation services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to American Cancer Society, (https://www.cancer.org/) would be preferred.
Jean Candlish Kelchner of Woodland Park, NJ passed away in her sleep early on the morning of October 10, 2019 at the age of 86. Born in Augusta, AR on December 23, 1932, she obtained both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Kean University in NJ, where she also went on to teach English and Humanities. She was a church leader for several decades as an organist and choir director, and was most recently a parishioner of Saint Philip the Apostle Church in Woodland Park.
Jean dedicated her life to empowering women. From her days as an educator at girls’ schools early in her career, to her work with the American Association of University Women, she was always a strong advocate for women’s education. A lover of words and member of the International Women's Writing Guild, she was the author of four books, all helmed by strong female protagonists. Most recently, she founded and led a Women’s Film Club in her local community, which she grew to 160 monthly attendees over the past 12 years.
Jean was a force of nature who was deeply loved. She will be missed by many, but especially by her adoring surviving family members: her husband of 67 years, Charles Joseph Kelchner; her children Linda (Bill Lenihan) Kosnik, Elizabeth “Betsy” (Michael) Goor, and Charles (Gina) Kelchner; her grandchildren Michelle, John, Tim, Rachel, Matthew, CJ, Dakota, and Luke; as well as her great-grandchildren Jaxson, Brody, Ford, and Georgia. She is also survived by a brother, Steven Faircloth. She is preceded in death by two beloved daughters, Cathy and Sharon Kelchner.
Jean considered herself a late bloomer, and her work to support fellow "sleeping beauties" will live on through her writing; although her spirit is resting now, her words will continue to help women break free of expectations to fulfill their true potential.
Visitors will be received at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-6 p.m.
The funeral will be Monday, October 14, 2019 from the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre St., Nutley at 8:45 a.m.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Philip the Apostle Church located at 797 Valley Road, Clifton, NJ at 10:00 a.m Monday, October 14, 2019.
Her cremation services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to American Cancer Society, (https://www.cancer.org/) would be preferred.