Jean Leese Harrington, of Williamsburg, Virginia, died on August 22, 2016 surrounded by her family.

She had been a Peninsula resident for 40 years. Jean was born November 6, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois. She led an active life as the wife of a career Army Officer and the mother of four. In spite of the heavy demands of raising a family. she somehow found time to participate in a variety of significant activities. She was an active volunteer in the Red Cross Blood Drives in the U.S. and abroad, a member of the International Women’s Club of Germany, President of the Officer Wives Clubs, Frankfurt, Germany, and Fort Eustis, Virginia.

Upon taking up residence on the Peninsula, Jean worked for 10 successful years in real estate. She then retired to her favorite activity, supporting historically meaningful activities on the Virginia Peninsula. She worked as a volunteer at the Yorktown National Park, an interpreter for the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities at the Jamestown Island Church, and for 22 years at Historic Jamestowne National Park as visitor receptionist and interpreter. Jean, her husband and eldest daughter were also an active volunteer team in the Williamsburg Meals On Wheels Program.

During the empty nest years of her life, she and her husband were able to indulge in one of her secret passions, travel. From Hawaii to Europe; Alaska to Mexico, and Central America, Atlantic to Pacific; Mediterranean, Black and Red Seas, Middle East and Africa, they managed to visit a relatively large segment of our modern world. Included amongst these were cruises to the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, twice to Alaska, and finally a Nile River Cruise through the pyramids.

Jean was an ardent environmentalist who devoted a great deal of her life protecting nature’s gifts. She was also an avid walker who maintained an active physical therapy program that included hikes of 3-4 miles daily.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Robert Harrington; two daughters, Janet Marie Harrington, and Shelley H. Napier and husband Jay of Hayes, Virginia; two sons, Robert H. Harrington Jr. and wife Pamela Harrington of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and John W. Harrington and wife Lisa Harrington of Lakewood, Colorado; six grandchildren, Robert H. Harrington III, John W. Harrington Jr., Jennifer Harrington, Jaimie Harrington, Nicholas Napier, and Eric Napier. She was predeceased by her beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth. She had eight great-grandchildren, John W., Brody, Isabella, Nash, Kinsley, Hadley, Wesley and Robert IV. 

At her request, she will be cremated and her ashes disbursed in view of the James River. 

Arrangements handled by The Cremation Society of Virginia.

On behalf of Jean, a special thank you is offered to the Riverside Hospice Team of Laura Warhol, Megan Turnage and Sabrina Blizzard for the professional, sensitive and caring support provided.

A private service of remembrance will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Williamsburg Meals On Wheels Association.