Jean McPhail Durspek
March 9, 1919 - May 15, 2009
Obituary
JEAN MCPHAIL DURSPEK
MARCH 9, 1919-MAY 15, 2009
Jean Durspek, 90, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2009 at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, WA. She was born, March 9, 1919, in Kingsland, Arkansas to parents Alexander and Allie McPhail.
Having taught school seven years in Arkansas, Jean moved with her two children in 1950 to begin a 31yr career as a teacher and Librarian in the Federal Way School District. While raising her family and teaching, Jean completed her undergraduate degree via summer school at Arkansas State Teachers College and a Masters of Library Science at the University of Washington, ensuring her to be a life long Husky fan.
Jean married William J Bill Durspek of Shell Lake Wisconsin, in Auburn WA, Nov. 20, 1971 and they resided in Federal Way. Jean was preceded in death by her husband Bill and a sister, Mary Lindrud of Ballard, WA.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda Fred Phillips of Tucson, AZ and son, Don Carol Brown, of Spokane WA, a brother Jack Jeanette McPhail, Monroe, LA, sisters, Betty Ken Turner, Bellevue, WA and Flo Robert Oliphant, Little Rock, AR, a stepson, William Mary Durspek Jr., Marion, IA and stepdaughter Joanne Westphal, Al Monte Springs, FL. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson., plus a large and loving extended family.
Memorial Services will be held Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 1:00pm at Calvary Lutheran Church in Federal Way.
Remembrances may be made to the National Polycystic Kidney Foundation or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Bonney-Watson Funeral Home of Federal Way.
wow, i had her as my librarian at sacajawea jr high school 32 years ago! she taught me well about “card catalogs”.i was her library assistant. my condolences to her family, she was a very great lady.
Jean and I worked together as fellow librarians in the Federal Way School Dist and I considered her my mentor. She was truly a beautiful woman and we will miss her! My condolences to her family.
This women was strong, beautiful inside and out! I loved her like she was part of my own family and her sister Betty and Ken her husband. I worked at Village Green Retirement Campus as the Facilities director and loved coming over helping her with her personal requests and hearing her piece of mind. This women is in my heart, a long with her family-May you rest in peace my dear friend! You and most others made working at VG worth coming in each day.