Jean attended Bolivar Central School in Bolivar, NY and graduated in 1949. In her younger years she worked at a basketweave company, Grant’s Restaurant and Campbell’s Diner in Olean. Later she worked at the Bolivar Central School in the Laundry Room and Cafeteria, retiring in 1994, but also worked at the Cere’s Skating Rink along side of her husband, Allan Sexton.

She was a member of the Eastern Star organization – Star of the East #109.

She was an avid book reader, then she would share those books with other. She loved sewing and making crafts, and then giving the items away to everyone. Her family is sure that many of you have received a kitchen towel! Her favorite pastime was to send everyone she knew; all of her children and their spouses, all grandchildren (their spouses too if married), brothers, sisters, many other family members, and many friends – cards. She mailed all of them birthday, every holiday and anniversary cards, every year. She didn’t miss anyone. This was very important to her. When she would travel back East to see family, she made it a point to see everyone she knew, if possible, during her visits. She also liked to cook and was a great baker. Many received her and her daughter, Stephanie’s, cookies in the mail.

Jean will be remembered for her generosity and kindness and love to everyone she knew. She was a wonderful mother, wife, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to so many. She loved all of her grandchildren and thy called her Granny as many others besides the grandchildren called her “Granny”! She loved meeting new people and getting to know them…and of course, were added to her yearly card list.

Jean was from the Western New York area, Bolivar, and then moved in 1994 to reside most of the year at her daughter’s home in San Jose, California and would take many trips back home to visit everyone.

She is survived by her family and friends, in both San Jose, California and Western New York. She leaves behind her children: Stephanie (Joseph) Totter, San Jose, CA, Becky (Donny) Greene, Olean, NY, Jim (Dawn) Sullivan, Hazel, KY, Dale (Chris) Sullivan, Limestone, NY, Michel Sexton, Winston Salem, NC, step-children: Sandra (Ralph) Butler, Carolina Shores, NC and Robert (Sue) Sexton, Bruceton, TN, and a step-sister Shirl Nelson, Sequim, WA. Granny, had 19 Grandchildren – Amanda, Logan, Aaron, Daryl, Jennifer, Andria, Joseph, Jeffrey, Melissa, Nicole, Ashleigh, Lacey, Greyson, Michelle, Heather, Stacey, Jessica, Ashley, and Bradley, 33 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great Great Grandchildren. She wants to also remember the numerous nieces and nephews she had and loved very much.

Besides her husband, Allan, she was predeceased by her parents, Charles W. Cowles and Mary Leona Smith, Aunt Edna Eaton, sisters – Doris Mitchell and Evelyn “Lois” Lambert, brother – George W. Cowles, step-brothers Robert and Burt Harrington, and 3 great grandchildren – Desiree and Destiny Sullivan and Caleb Sexton.

In keeping with Jean’s wishes, there will be no public visitation or funeral services. She will be laid to rest with her husband in the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Bolivar, NY at a later date this summer with her family and friends.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Bolivar Public Library, 390 Main Street, Bolivar, NY 14715, the Pioneer Oil Museum of NY, P.O. Box 332, Bolivar, NY 14715 or online to the American Heart Association, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc. 554 S. Main St., Bolivar, NY.