Eleanor Jean Wiegand

April 14, 1936 - September 13, 2023

Eleanor Jean Wiegand, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on Wednesday,

September 13 th, 2023 in her Frankfort Illinois home surrounded by her family. Jean, as her loved ones

knew her, was born on April 14 th , 1936 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

Jean is survived by her three loving children, Dale Wiegand, Carol Murphy, and Mike Wiegand. She is the

grandmother to seven grandchildren; Mandy Passmore (Weigand), Samantha Kay Wiegand, Tyler

Murphy, Gordon Murphy, Garrett Murphy, Hayden Murphy, Jai Akaash Wiegand, and Dylan Murphy.

She is the great grandmother to Cameron Bowman-Passmore and Miles Lawson Cole. Jean is also the

beloved mother in-law to Steven Murphy, Vaishali Trivedi-Wiegand, and Susie Weigand. Jean also leaves

behind her own personal zoo that includes her dogs; 22, Gracie, and Stormy, as well as, cats; Boo,

Schmidt, Miko, and Pepper.

The second daughter to Mildred and John Wiegand, she and her beloved older sister Joyce, grew up in

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Jean graduated from Edgewood High School in 1954 and continued her

education at Penn State University, where she graduated in 1958. Following graduation, Jean went to

work as a physical education teacher and coach at Kittanning High School in Pittsburgh.

Jean was an extremely accomplished and respected swim coach, which helped all three of her children

to swim at Division 1 schools. A devoted animal lover and staunch environmental defender, she

volunteered and donated to charitable organizations throughout her entire life. While Jean had many

passions throughout her life, none were as important to her as spending time with her daughter and

best friend Carol, her granddaughter Hayden, and dear lifelong friends like Nancy Clements, Starla Gray,

Lois Jacobsma, and Tracy Sullivan. Jean loved to read and to learn. The last poem she would share with

her friends summed up her approach to life better than we ever could:

 

Live every day

As if it’s your last,

Let go of the pain

And forgive the past.

Our time is short

And slipping fast,

It won’t be long

‘til our minute has passed.

 

A celebration of life will be held at her Frankfort home on October 7 th , 2023 at 3PM. Please call/ text

(815) 409-5923 for details. In lieu of flowers, Jean has asked that you make a donation to the following

charity in her name:

https://leavenopawsbehind.org/