Jean Poucher Loizeaux

Jean Poucher Loizeaux, 95, died on April 27, 2019 at her home in Atlanta, GA after a short illness.

Jean was born in Plainfield, NJ on April 9, 1924. She graduated from Kent Place School and Douglas College. For 57 years, she resided in Basking Ridge, NJ, where, with her husband John G. Loizeaux, Jr., she raised their 3 children. She was an active member of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church—as a Deacon and Elder. In the mid-1960s and continuing for almost fifty years, she taught middle school math at Gill St. Bernard’s School in Gladstone, NJ. There she became and remains something of a legend for the academic standards to which she held her students. Upon her retirement at age 88 in 2012, the school established the Jean Loizeaux Award, the highest academic award for a graduating senior. Her commitment to the education of young people continued in Atlanta where she was a tutor in the Agape program.

Jean’s energy was apparent—and occasionally exhausting—to all who knew her. In high school, she was on the fencing and field hockey teams. Over her summers on Shelter Island, she was an avid sailor. Later she was in the Junior League, and during WWII served as a volunteer ambulance attendant in Plainfield. She enjoyed opera, the symphony and theater in New York, Morristown, NJ, and more recently in Atlanta. At home she’d put her hand to just about anything: gardening, reupholstering, wallpapering, knitting, plumbing, carpentry, gutter-cleaning; in her eighties, she pushed a mower around the yard.

She loved her walks on the Cape May beach. A life-long Yankees fan, she came to appreciate the Braves. She was often competitive, particularly if there were playing cards in her hand. She loved a good argument as long as it might be resolved over a glass of Bailey’s Irish Cream. She was organized. Oh, was she organized: a maker of lists on lined yellow pads in meticulous handwriting. She believed in civility, manners, a properly set table, and matching navy blue skirts, purses, and shoes.

She also believed in working hard and embracing life with all her being. She was determined, ambitious for herself and others, and independent right up to her final weeks. She was a neighbor who’d run to your house in an emergency, or if you needed a stick of butter. Her immaculate home was open to friends and strangers in need. As a mother, she was fierce, steadfast, and proud in her love.

Jean is predeceased by her husband, John G. Loizeaux, Jr.; her parents, Ralph and Margaret Poucher; her sister, Lynn Thompson; her brother, Thomas Poucher; and granddaughter, Anna S. Loizeaux. She is survived by many friends, including Henry Stiel; her sisters, Peg Romano and Lois Rogers; her son, Bill [Beth] Loizeaux; her daughters, Meg [Peter] Keller and Christine [Bob] Wright; her grandchildren, Paul [Jenell] Keller, Karl [Hannah Callaghan] Keller, Rebecca Wright, Lisa Jane Wright, Hannah [Matt] Meurer, and Emma [Chester Harvey] Loizeaux; 3 great-granchildren and one on the way.

Jean requested that memorial donations be sent to Gill St. Bernard’s School, which has generously responded by establishing The Jean Loizeaux Scholarship Fund. This need-based scholarship will assist a Middle School student or students who demonstrate academic excellence and whose families have demonstrated financial need in order to attend the school. Please follow this link http://www.gsbschool.org/page/jean-loizeaux-scholarship-fund or send a check to:

Gill St. Bernard’s School
Development Office
PO Box 604
St. Bernard’s Road
Gladstone, NJ 07934-0604

Please note Jean Loizeaux Fund on the check or envelope.

Memorial service at 2PM on Saturday, September 21 at the:
Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church
1 E. Oak St., Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

In the spirit of Jean Loizeaux, all are welcome.