Jean Fowler Fassett Lumley

Jean Fowler Fassett Lumley, born September 20, 1918, passed away peacefully at 107 on January 17, 2026. She was born in Newark, NJ to Hiram Leo Fowler and Mary Grimshaw Wadsworth Fowler. She graduated from Prospect Hill Country Day School. Jean married James W. Fassett on September 28, 1940. They moved to Chatham, NJ in 1949. After raising her children, Jean was the secretary to the principal at Milton Avenue Elementary School, where children loved any time with her in the office. She was a watercolor painter, an accomplished seamstress and quilter, girl scout leader, den mother, and active at her church. Jean and Jim retired to Roxbury, NY in 1975, enjoying 11 years in the mountains before Jim’s heart trouble prompted them to move to Hilton Head Island, SC in 1986. The “low country” with warm temps and low elevation found them bike riding everywhere and learning to play golf. They were charter members at Providence Presbyterian Church where she continued active participation. Jim passed away after 54 years together. Jean then married George Lumley and remained in Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island until his death in 2020. She then moved to a retirement community in Madison, WI.

She is survived by her three children: Jinny Sewall (Dale), Seattle, WA; Lynne Emerick (Jim), Madison, WI: and Jeff Fassett, Cheyenne, WY; 10 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren; niece Barbara Miller and nephew Ted Muendel. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother when she was young.

The family requests that any donations in her name be made to Providence Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, SC or Asbury Church, Madison, WI. Special thanks to the Agrace Hospice and Coppertop caregivers. Per Jean’s request, there will be no memorial service.

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