Jean Mary Lockwood Myrick was born in Sioux Falls, SD on May 30th, 1924. She fought cancer and other ailments with courage and dignity, and went to be
with her Lord on March 1, 2016.
Jean was the youngest of four children born to Russell Victor Lockwood and Nellie Phoebe Buswell Lockwood. She grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, where she played French horn and trombone in the band.
She worked for Western Union as a teletype operator during World War II, and married Patrick L. Myrick in 1948. She attended Seattle Pacific University (then Seattle Pacific College) but withdrew in order to support her husband’s education, and then to rear children, who eventually numbered eight.
Jean worked as a secretary at San Jose State College in the 1960s. Later, she worked for 20 years as a librarian at the Snohomish Public Library. She was the published author of a children’s book and numerous poems. Always artistic, she took up watercolor painting during middle age, and specialized in portraits.
For 32 years Jean wrote, edited, and published a weekly three column, five page newsletter for extended family and friends, which, in accordance with her personal philosophy, she entitled “Rejoice!” It was invaluable in helping family keep track of each other’s activities, and an inspiration to many. She was an avid reader. Some of her favorite authors were G.K. Chesterton, George Macdonald, Dorothy Sayers, Merlin Carothers, Jane Austen, D. E. Stevenson, Angela Thirkell, Aaron Elkins, L.M. Montgomery and Jan Karon. She studied the life and works of C.S. Lewis, eventually writing a number of scholarly papers on his works.
After her children were grown, Jean delighted in traveling. She visited Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Korea, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Costa Rica.
Jean returned to Seattle Pacific University at 65, and earned degrees in General Studies, History and Political Science, eventually acquiring the longest transcript of any SPU student. She was not only a lifelong learner, but a lifelong champion of education. She helped her loved ones with numerous term papers, and when she had resources later in life, she helped others with college costs and endowed a scholarship.
Jean lived an exemplary life, was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Jean is survived by her children, Mary Nell Sorensen (Carl), Anne Breeden Saenz, Alex (Janice), Jonathan (Pam), Geordie (Beverly), Monica Erichsen (Glenn), Gwyneth Ginther (Dan), Gareth Patrick Sebastian (Laura Stone), 22 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
Jean will be remembered for her generosity, good humor and unfailing positive attitude.
A celebration of her life will be held at Refuge Foursquare Church, 2701 Wetmore Ave., Everett, Mar 12 at 1:00 P.M.