Jean B. Leefeldt, age 99, a longtime resident of Ocean City, NJ and Yardley, PA, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2023.
Born in Trenton, NJ, Jean graduated from Trenton State Teachers College and worked as an educator with the Trenton Public School District for 35 years. She taught physical education, outdoor education, and elementary education. Her passion was for teaching and taking on new challenges and innovative teaching opportunities. She was instrumental in establishing the first K-6 computer lab in the school district and received national recognition for her efforts. She was awarded the NJ Governor’s Teacher of the Year in 1988.
An athlete before women’s varsity athletics existed, Jean enjoyed basketball, canoeing, swimming, and dance. She excelled at playing tennis and became part of a close knit community of players during many summers at the Ocean City tennis courts. The friendships created there were dear to her and lasted for many years. In her retirement, she also enjoyed worldwide travel and exploration and loved books, puzzles, and quilting. Tennis in Ocean City, time at the beach, biking and walking with family and friends made good memories.
Jean is survived by her two daughters, Janice Leefeldt Painter (husband, Tom) and Carol Leefeldt Anderer (husband, Dave); her granddaughter, Katelyn Painter, as well as her sister, Pat Miller, nieces, Donna Miller and Kathy Miller Hall, and nephew, Mark Miller, of Plantation Florida.
Jean was preceded in death by Carroll H. Leefeldt, her husband of almost 43 years, who died in 1991.
The family suggests donations in Jean’s memory can be made to the Ocean City Humane Society HSOC, PO Box 1254, Ocean Ocean City NJ 08226 http://hsocnj.org/online-donation/ or United Methodist Communities at The Shores, 2201 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226.Services will be private. Arrangements are by The Godfrey Funeral Home of Ocean City. For condolences to the family, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com
