Obituary of Jeanne Lipp Conover

August 24, 1926 to March 7, 2009

Jeanne Lipp Conover died in Annapolis, MD on March 7, 2009.  She was 82. Beloved wife of Commander Donald T. Conover, she served the Nation as a Navy Wife for 22 years, making homes in often difficult circumstances. They served together in Boston, Gulfport, Norfolk, China Lake, Kodiak, Paw Paw, Cazenovia, Philadelphia, Kamakura, Thornville and Olivet before returning to Cazenovia in 1973. Her voluntary service to the community was broad and deep. She has been described as a giant heart with a smile on it. She was a devoted member of the Alice Edwards Circle and Deacon of the Presbyterian Church, and served the community by organizing the Cazenovia Winter Festival for 10 years. She also served as President of Symphony Women of Battle Creek, and in various roles in the Limestone Hunt, the Lorenzo Driving Competition, the Cazenovia Club and the biannual Home Tour. She founded a charity resale shop for the benefit of Olivet College. She was an altruistic teacher, guiding children in swimming, horseback riding, the mysteries of sheep and wool, and Cub Scouts. She taught English to Japanese businessmen. She was an inveterate Bridge player, with a reputation as a risk taker among her partners, and was playing in the moments before leaving home for the last time. Born in Philadelphia, she was graduated from Friends’ Central, and attended the University of Pennsylvania and Sophia University in Tokyo. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Anne Merrell, of Lowville, her brother-in-law, Philip Harris, of La Jolla, her daughter Sarah, of Cazenovia, her son, Donald, of Annapolis, her granddaughters, Natasha, Alyssa, and Cassandra, six great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her son, Sam, and her husband, Don. Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to the 1st Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia or to Cazenovia Volunteer Ambulance Corps. A Memorial Service will be held at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia on April 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.