Jean Evelyn Andersen

Jean passed away at her home in Centre Island, Oyster Bay, New York, on March 6th, just a few days before her 87th birthday, after an illness that lasted more than a decade.

Jean is survived by her brother, Harold W. Andersen, MD, and his wife Shirley R. Andersen, MD – of Chapel Hill, NC, and Laurel Hollow, NY. Although she did not have children of her own, she was actively involved in the lives of her nieces and nephew: Lauren, William, Elizabeth, and Caroline. She was also blessed with nine grandnieces and grandnephews, aged 10 to 29.

Jean grew up in Bayside Queens, Roslyn Estates, and Manhasset, the younger child of an entrepreneurial businessman, Harold Andersen, Sr., and his wife Evelyn Nielsen. She graduated from Manhasset High School in 1953 and attended Wellesley College, graduating in 1957. She studied psychology at Columbia University as a graduate student.

Jean was an adventurous person who traveled widely in her career managing programs to reduce childhood malnutrition; she spearheaded programs called Nutribus and Nutripak, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company. Nutritional buses would travel to remote areas distributing food and teaching about nutrition. Jean worked mostly in Thailand and the Philippines, developing an enduring fondness for the cultures of the those countries.

In her spare time, Jean loved to sail. She owned many boats over the years, but became a fan of her Ideal 18 because it was light and easy for two people to sail. She participated in Ladies' Sailing at Seawanhaka Yacht Club and raced all over Long Island Sound. She enjoyed teaching sailing skills and sharing her technical knowledge.

Jean wintered annually in Naples, Florida, and became a docent at the Baker Art Museum. She enjoyed researching each new exhibition and sharing her knowledge with schoolchildren and museum patrons. Her illness interrupted her attempt at writing a book on fine art printmaking.

Jean was an amazingly hopeful and positive person. Although she was very serious about her career, she also had a sense of humor and loved a well-timed joke. When she was affected by Parkinson's, she fought hard for years to retain her physical and mental faculties.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. DeVine funeral home of Oyster Bay is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jean's preferred charity: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

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