Jeanne McClain

Jeanne Taylor Gordon McClain was born on Bastille Day, July 14, 1924 in Wintersville, Ohio of parents Frank and Marian Morris Taylor. Jeanne graduated from Toronto High School and received a full scholarship to West Penn Nursing School. She completed training in Pittsburgh and at Case Western Reserve Hospital in Cleveland. It was in Cleveland that she met her first husband and her two children were born.

Jeanne relocated to Granville as a single parent of two small children to be near her mother and aunt. She worked at the Newark Hospital before starting her career at Owens Corning Research Center in Granville. Jeanne completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences at the Ohio State University while working full time and raising two children. In addition to working as an Occupational Nurse at Owens Corning Jeanne did laboratory research and earned a patent for a process of curing tires containing glass fibers, the first woman employed by Owens Corning to do so.

Jeanne was a long-time member of Centenary United Methodist Church where she played in a marimba group and taught senior high Sunday school for many years. Her high school classes have memories of outstanding projects such as decorating and delivering full-sized, Christmas trees to eight shut-in church members and studying the music from Jesus Christ Superstar, controversial at the time. While she was a member of the History and Records Committee of the church Jeanne made significant contributions to “Two Centuries of Methodist Ministers in Granville, Ohio” published in 2018, even researching while on vacation in Florida.

On December 21, 1975 on Sunday morning after the church service Jeanne and John R. (Jack) McClain, Jr. were married in Centenary United Methodist Church in the presence of many friends, family and co-workers. Through the years Jeanne and Jack shared many travel adventures as Jack participated in marathons and cycling events.

Inspired by the Licking County Corporate Challenge beginning in 1965, Jeanne made a habit of daily swims at the Denison University pool, often accompanied by Jack. Jeanne was also well-known in the community for teaching “Stop Smoking” classes as a volunteer. She was a long-time member of the Granville Music Club and the Winter Picnic Club.

Jeanne made special efforts to maintain relationships with friends and family by phone calls, electronic messages, cards and letters. She and Jack made special efforts to help older friends through the years and were volunteers with Meals on Wheels.

She was an enthusiastic gardener and an avid birdwatcher. Bluebirds held a special place in her heart and her interest led her to become a charter member of the Ohio Bluebird Society. At one time she monitored 17 bluebird houses at her home. She and Jack volunteered many hours at Dawes Arboretum on the Bluebird Trail.

Jeanne approached life with practicality, a well-developed sense of humor and optimism. Family and friends will recognize that she has the last word by closing with “Touched you last.”

Jeanne is survived by her son Jerry (Teresa) Gordon of Johnstown; her daughter, Nancy (Larry) Rayment of Johnson City, TN;  her stepson, Craig (Marion) McClain of Louisville, KY; grandchildren: Josh Rayment, Chris (Felisia) Rayment, Laura (David) Rudder, Megan Gordon, Becca Gordon; step-grandsons, John D. McClain (Abbey) and Erich Rayment; 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating Jeanne’s life will be live streamed from Centenary United Methodist Church on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Noon with Rev. Casey Wilson and Rev. Bob Long as celebrants. Please visit www.centenaryumc.com/sermons and click on the large box where weekly worship services are streamed. Due to COVID restrictions the public will NOT be admitted entrance to the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church or The Granville Township Fire Department.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

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