Eugenia V. Sears (Jeanne), passed away at her home in Sterling, VA on August 25, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in June, 1925 to Lucile and Earl Vincent of Tulsa, OK. Jeanne had one brother, Earl Jr. (Buddy). She graduated from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, TX after attending Stephens College in Columbia, MO.
Jeanne turned down a budding fashion career with Neiman-Marcus to marry Ensign Kenneth P. Sears, USN in September, 1948 in Tulsa, OK. She traveled with Ken throughout a fulfilling Naval career, from Troy, NY to CA, VA, HI, OK, Manila, Philippines and eventually back to Washington, D.C. as the wife of a Rear Admiral. Jeanne fully devoted herself to being a Navy wife, mother, elegant and gracious hostess/docent, arts and sciences philanthropist, as well as a supportive friend and mentor to many military and diplomatic associates.
Jeanne played significant roles in her years of volunteering in the Washington DC area with the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation, The Hospitality and Information Service for Foreign Diplomats (THIS) and The Art Guild of Washington, D.C. Her love of fashion, interior design and art are evident in the joy of color found in her personae and paintings. She will be remembered as an elegant, generous and caring person who enjoyed helping others! She loved her home, family, friends, fashion and her Native American heritage.
Jeanne will be sadly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have this "classy lady" in their lives. She was truly a "thoughtful and ebullient person"! Jeanne is survived by her husband RADM Kenneth Sears, her children Susan Sears and CAPT Jon Sears, his wife Barbara, two grandchildren, Jonathan and Geoffrey and many special friends throughout the world.
Memorial Services will be held at Falcons Landing, Potomac Falls, VA on Oct. 3rd at 2:30 p.m., with graveside services on October 5th, 2011, 10:30 a.m. at the Arlington National Cemetery. Donations, in lieu of flowers, are requested by the family in her name to: Capital Caring Hospice, 2900 Telestar Ct., Falls Church, VA 22042, or Naval Academy Foundation, PO Box 64740, Baltimore, MD 21298-8903, or American Institute for Cancer Research, 1759 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009.