Obituary for Jean Merrill Rockwell
Jean M. Rockwell, 67, died peacefully March 30, 2024 with her children by her side.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Daniel C. Rockwell, mother Priscilla J. Davis, and father Edgar McCormick.
She will be deeply missed by her daughter Katie Strickland and husband Chris, son Brian Rockwell and wife Jen, granddaughter Brynlee Rockwell, and grandson Brayden Rockwell; also her brother Robert McCormick.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, she completed high school at age 16, earning a scholarship to a university pre-med program. She instead joined the US Navy and was stationed in Virginia where she met her husband, a fellow sailor. They were married in 1978. She served 5 years as an Operations Specialist before being honorably discharged and starting a career as an early childhood educator. She was the director of Mustard Seed Child Care Center for more than twenty years, where her leadership helped the center grow to become one of the most well regarded early childhood programs in Norfolk. In 2014 she transitioned to part time work in order to provide full time care and support for her husband in his long fight with Multiple Sclerosis. She spent her life taking care of other people.
She was an accomplished and enthusiastic gardener. Excited by the arrival of Spring, she had been eagerly making plans and was looking forward to seeing her lilies and lotus flowers bloom. She also enjoyed researching genealogy, reading mystery novels (especially Agatha Christie), and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Her family will gather privately in her garden to celebrate her life.
Please visit grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Daniel C. Rockwell, mother Priscilla J. Davis, and father Edgar McCormick.
She will be deeply missed by her daughter Katie Strickland and husband Chris, son Brian Rockwell and wife Jen, granddaughter Brynlee Rockwell, and grandson Brayden Rockwell; also her brother Robert McCormick.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, she completed high school at age 16, earning a scholarship to a university pre-med program. She instead joined the US Navy and was stationed in Virginia where she met her husband, a fellow sailor. They were married in 1978. She served 5 years as an Operations Specialist before being honorably discharged and starting a career as an early childhood educator. She was the director of Mustard Seed Child Care Center for more than twenty years, where her leadership helped the center grow to become one of the most well regarded early childhood programs in Norfolk. In 2014 she transitioned to part time work in order to provide full time care and support for her husband in his long fight with Multiple Sclerosis. She spent her life taking care of other people.
She was an accomplished and enthusiastic gardener. Excited by the arrival of Spring, she had been eagerly making plans and was looking forward to seeing her lilies and lotus flowers bloom. She also enjoyed researching genealogy, reading mystery novels (especially Agatha Christie), and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Her family will gather privately in her garden to celebrate her life.
Please visit grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.