Jean Ann (Schultz) Singer

Jean Ann Singer, 90, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 18, 2023 surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren.

Jean was born on June 12, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois.  She graduated in the Calumet High School Class of 1950.  At seventeen, she met the love of her life, Jack Singer, while working at the library. Two years later, Jean flew to Germany to marry Jack, who was in the service. Afterwards, Jean worked at Billings Hospital, but soon turned her attention to caring for her family.  During their marriage, they raised three children: Steven, Donna, and Gregory.  Both lifetime Chicagoans, Jack and Jean moved their family to Overland Park, Kansas in 1970 and remained there. Completely devoted to each other, Jean and Jack enjoyed 63 years of marriage until Jack passed away in 2015.  Jean’s children and grandchildren were always with her as she hosted weekly Sunday dinners, holidays, and lived alongside her youngest son Greg.

Jean was beautiful inside and out. She was the matriarch of her family, always putting everyone else’s needs before her own. She loved people. She had an infectious laugh and a kind and beautiful smile. She was brilliant and quick-witted with the best sense of humor. She had her own unique style adorned with pins, scarves, and statement necklaces.  Jean could often be seen tending to her garden, cooking family dinners, doing jigsaw puzzles, successfully completing the NYT crossword puzzle daily, and cheering on her favorite sports teams – the Royals, Jayhawks, and the Chiefs.

From childhood on, Jean was always passionate about being an artist.  As a busy mom, she painted when she could and started attending art classes.  In her 50s, Jean decided to become a professional artist, and created beautiful works of art for customers and her family in her studio.  Her work is cherished in countless households and has been featured in various art galleries in Kansas City, Denver, and Austin, Texas, as well as in art shows, shops, and restaurants.  She was chosen by the Denver Art Museum to take part in a special exhibit of Folk Art.  When the Kansas City area held its “Cows on Parade” exhibit, Jean’s cow was featured at the Kansas City Zoo. She designed Christmas cards that won the yearly contest and were sold by the American Diabetes Association two years in a row.  She was awarded many honors at the art fairs in which she exhibited her oil paintings and pastels.  The focus of most of her works included her grandchildren, animals, and farm scenes that her husband photographed.  Jean was a devoted member of Crossroads Church, serving as an elder, and leader of children’s art activities. She delighted in the company of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always eager for descriptions of their activities and adventures at school or with their friends.  Jean touched many lives with her generous spirit.  She will always be cherished, missed, and never forgotten.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Margaret (Boyce) Schultz; her brothers Robert and Paul Schultz; her husband, Jack Singer, and her great-grandson Hudson Ittel.

Her surviving family includes her sister and best friend Marilyn Neukirch (Pete); her brother Richard Schultz (Cres); her children, Steven Singer, Donna Boyd, and Gregory Singer; four grandchildren, Audrey Clark Singer (Mike), Jessica Singer, Molli Ittel (Jason), and Megan Miller (Jacob); and four great-grandchildren, Jack Miller, Madeline Jean Miller, and Holden Ittel, as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.  A special thanks from the family is extended to Maggie’s Place at Colonial Village and Ascend Hospice Group for their loving care and assistance the last six months of Jean's life.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Crossroads Church RCA, 10551 S. Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 66215, with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend a reception at the church following the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Church and Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64137 - https://waysidewaifs.org