Jean Boyle died at 86 years old in her home on Friday, November 17, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.  She is preceded in death by her father George Christian Bunge, mother Helen Rapp Bunge, brother George Hamilton Bunge, and his wife Isabel.  She is also preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert Boyle. She is survived by her son Jeff Low and wife Donna of Katy, Texas, daughter Margi Jordan and husband Glynn of Frisco, Texas, daughter Betsy Kofos and husband Danny of San Antonio, Texas, son Billy Low and wife Judy, daughter Sally Low both of Houston, Texas, son David Boyle and wife Aum of Koebe, Japan, and daughter Janice Hill and husband Steve of Oradell, New Jersey. She is also survived by her grandchildren Nicholas and wife Heather, Kristen and husband Brent, Tannie and wife Molly, Glynn, Hannah, Michael, Stephen, Buzz, Trey and wife Margaret, Annie, and Kayla, along with great-grandchildren Jett, Lola, Kendal, Cameron, Ellie Grace, Evie, and Graeme, nephews George, Hamilton, and David Bunge and families. And lastly, her friend and confidant labradoodle, Penny Lane Low Timberlake.

Jean/Mom/Grams grew up in Winnetka, Illinois, where she attended Hubbard Woods Elementary School and North Shore Country Day School. As a girl, her favorite sports were field hockey (the team chose to not wear shin guards!), water skiing, and horseback riding. She especially enjoyed acting in school plays. Her favorite and most memorable role was Katisha in Mikado. She treasured her summers in Sante Fe, New Mexico, visiting her grandmother who would read the Oz books to Jean and her brother, George. She spoke often about how they would ride horses from the La Fonda Hotel to Bishop’s Lodge. After high school, she attended Smith College where she studied Liberal Arts with a concentration in Music. 

After college Jean married and began a family of five children whom she loved unconditionally.  She nurtured and cherished each one with her whole heart. There was never a question of her complete support and always had a listening ear. Never will there be another mother who loved so devotedly, and was so well loved in return. Almost like family were our friends the Prendergasts. Every Thanksgiving for the past 60 years have been spent together whether in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Houston, Goliad, or San Antonio.

Bob and Jean were married later in life, sharing 25 years together before he passed away.  Those years were filled with the kind of love that she so admired in her parents’ relationship which was a complete and unmatched love. They enjoyed travels to Europe, Japan, China, Bermuda, and many other places. Among their favorite memories was a hot air balloon trip in the South of France. Bob was her soul-mate and we are so thankful for the years they spent together. They would recite the 23rd Psalm together, which has become very meaningful especially at this time. Together they claimed seven children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whom they adored.

Jean was a very talented artist. She enjoyed needlepoint, quilting, singing, and playing the piano. She created various artwork in many different forms. She was a member of the Junior League of Houston, the Singing Bells, and Fiber Artists Association. She worked for a short time at the Houston Symphony where she had the thrill of meeting Leonard Bernstein.  Her dream was to be a backup singer for “any band who would have her”. She loved a great mystery novel and watching English comedies and mysteries on PBS.  Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy 
were enjoyed daily.  She loved sharing Chianti and dark chocolate with her family. 5:00 PM was her very favorite time of day!

Of all the people who cared for her over the past several months, the family would like to especially thank nurse and friend, Diane Patke for her love and compassion. We don’t know what we would have done without you!

There’s a void that cannot be filled with the loss of our Mom/Grams. We know you now “dwell in the house of the LORD”. We’ll see you up above one day, but until then you will be sorely missed.

Services will be held at the Cypress-Fairbanks Funeral Home on Saturday, November 25th at 2:00 PM. 9926 Jones Road Houston, Texas 77065. Please join us for a celebration of life. Reception immediately following. Please feel free to dress casually as that was her style. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to, please make a donation in her name to The National Kidney Foundation or to Fisher House.

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