Jean Hamilton Ivester, 77, of Spotsylvania passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022 at Poet’s Walk of Warrenton.
Jean was born and raised in Saltsburg, PA. Her early adult years were spent in the Washington, D.C. area where she worked for various agencies in the government. After moving to Fredericksburg, she spent 19 years in service to the state of Virginia as a Legislative Aide to Senator Edd Houck. Jean worked tirelessly for Virginia constituents helping them with problems no one else could resolve. Following her career with the senator, she worked for the George Washington Regional Commission until her retirement.
Jean loved collecting dolls and antiques. She spent her retirement years spending precious time with her family, especially her grandchildren, Sam and Jenna. Some of her favorite family traditions were cooking with her sisters, making family favorites from scratch. She was known for her homemade pierogis and halupki. Jean also spent many hours creating picture albums and scrapbooks for her children and grandchildren. Jean was also a very proud and devoted Navy Mom! She adored her family and was the best “Grammy” to her two granddaughters. Nothing brought Jean greater joy than helping those in need. She was driven by her empathy for others.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Franklin E. Ivester of Fredericksburg, VA; son Thomas Yancoskie (Rene) of Loveland, OH; daughter Carol Phillips (Steve) of Louisa, VA; granddaughters Samantha Fleming (Gabriel Barker) of Fredericksburg, VA and Jenna Bansal (Ishaan) of Woodbridge, VA; and great-grandson, Aviraj Bansal. Jean is also survived by her sister Mary Hamilton Arbutine of Lake Mary, FL; brother James Hamilton of Walkersville, MD; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents James Dean Hamilton and Anna Mojher Hamilton of Pennsylvania. She is also preceded in death by her sisters Dolores Hollar, Barbara Raspberger, and Joan Randolph.
A private service will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Virginia. A public Celebration of Life memorial service will be held in Spring 2022.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.