Jean Garvey, 70, Junction City, Kansas, died Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at her home in Junction City. Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Nebraska.
Jean graduated from Mercy High School in 1971 in Omaha, Nebraska where she grew up. Later, she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies in 1978, from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her first teaching assignment was in Ainsworth, Nebraska from 1978 to 1980. She began her service as a Reading Specialist at Junction City High School in August 1982, after receiving a Master's Degree of Reading that same year from UNO. She later moved to the History Department of the high school. For 37 years, she was dedicated to the teaching profession at JCHS, until her retirement in May 2019.
During those many years, Jean was an active member of the Junction City Education Association and also served on the Board of Directors. In 2002, she was a nominee for Master Teacher; in 2004, she traveled to China as a Fulbright Scholar. As well as serving as a KSU consultant for Social Studies teachers, Jean mentored many student teachers over 25 years. The passion of her teaching career was as an Advanced Placement History teacher. She was an educator who met students where they were, scaffolding skills for them to access content to find success.
In the 1980s, Jean was a cheerleading coach and also sponsored J Pep. She served as the chair of the Social Studies Department. Her contributions to the profession included not only teaching but also working on the School Improvement Team, the Student Assistance Team, and the Reading Committee. She belonged to the International Reading Association. A longtime fellow Social Studies teacher Jud Lebo said, "Jean was a great role model and mentor as she left such an impactful impression on colleagues and students. I have not met a greater beacon of professionalism, wisdom, commitment, and compassion in my life."
Outside of her profession, early on, Jean and her sister Joan were "Kennedy Girls" for the Robert Kennedy 1968 Presidential Campaign. She loved politics, especially educated debates. Jean was a seeker of social justice in the area especially of women's rights admiring Ida B. Wells, an early leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Jean was an aficionado of Americana and loved Native American art and jewelry. In her reserved, respectful, engaged manner, Jean brought a richness to the Junction City High School Community and beyond.
Survivors include one sister, Joan Garvey of Omaha, Nebraska; one brother, Paul Garvey of Omaha, Nebraska; four nephews and three nieces; eight great-nieces and nephews. She was a super aunt and loved her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.