C. Mcnary

MADISON - C. Jean McNary passed away Monday, April 28, 2014 at age 101. Jean was born in Waukesha County on September 26, 1912 to John Foster and Mildred (Anderson) McNary.

She earned her graduate degree from Northwestern School of Government and Public Law and also attended Columbia University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After graduating from Northwestern University, Jean took an appointment at Hull House in Chicago under director Jane Addams. Jean often talked of the profound strength and inspiration she gained from this experience. During WWII, Jean continued her career in New York City as the Director of the International Student Organization. Following her time in NYC, Jean moved to Madison, where she lived for the remainder of her life. In 1947, she was appointed Personnel Examiner for the State of Wisconsin and was the first and only woman to hold that position. She would work for the state of Wisconsin for 30 years, retiring as the Human Resources Department Director in 1977.

Jean served as President of the Board of ALTRUSA, the Wisconsin Association of Personnel and Guidance, the Madison Area Literacy Council, Madison-Vilnius Sisters Cities, Vice-President of YWCA, and on the Friendship Force Board.

Jean was an avid enthusiast of art, symphony, and travel. She was a lifelong learner who remained curious, particularly about science and technology. Jean continued to regularly participate in educational opportunities, including Night at the Lab on Wednesday nights. She attended her last session in April of 2014.

She is survived by: 3 nieces, , Mildred (Roy) Daikawa of Hilo, Hawaii, Barbara (Peter) Rockaway of Plymouth, Indiana and Susan (Don) Snider of Port Washington, WI; grand-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jack McNary, and sisters, and Henrietta McNary and Mildred Moser.


A Celebration of Jean's Life will be held at 12:30 pm on Monday, May 5, 2014 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A gathering will begin after 11:30 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Wisconsin Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired or the YWCA.