Jean Morris Carlin, 86, of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of William G. “Bill” Carlin with whom she celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in October. She was born in Modena, PA, daughter of the late Nathaniel Ring and Ethel Estelle McCauley Morris. Sharing their first date at a soda shop in Coatesville in 1952, Bill and Jean married several months later after the fall harvest. Jean immersed herself in the role of farm wife--preparing picnic lunches for Bill so he would not have to leave his work in the fields (years later, she would tell us that she just wanted to watch her husband at work in the fields), excitedly gathering chicken eggs from all the hidden places, tending the vegetable garden, busying herself with canning, freezing, baking, and planting flowers. With the 3 children to raise, Jean supplemented the family income through Avon sales. Jean represented the family when she traveled to England by herself to witness the christening of her God Child. Transferred to upper state New York, Jean immersed herself in the children’s school activities, was active as a Girl Scout Leader and worked at the local dry goods store. Moving to western PA with another transfer, being a people person, Jean immersed herself in the local community through her volunteer activities. Relocating to the western part of New York state, Jean became involved in the local social and school activities of the town. Finding her family transferred to Lancaster, she continued her focus on being the most enthusiastic fan in her children’s activities. Jean worked as a waitress at JC Penney, later working in sales at both Watt and Shand and the BonTon at Park City. Having kept in touch with her many customers throughout the years, she then “retired”, adding 10 more retirement years of work in customer service at the Manheim Auto Auction. She was a member of Mountville Church of the Brethren. Known as the “flower lady”, their yard was blooming with geraniums, daisies, marigolds, phlox, sedum, spiderwort, petunias, and more. Jean always had a smile on her face and enjoyed baking cookies (Rocks, MamMam cookies, Molasses cakes, sandtarts, snickerdoodles) for everyone. Jean and her husband enjoyed traveling to England, Scotland, Switzerland, Mexico, Bahamas and Aruba, as well as travels throughout most of the United States. Jean loved the beach, talking to her flowers of rainbow hues, water skiing in Florida, was thrilled to parasail over blue Caribbean waters, cooking hot dogs over an open fire in the winter snow, camping in the open starlit sky, hosting an exchange student from Australia, giggling like children with her sister “Toots, but most of all, Jean loved sitting with husband Bill on the back porch watching the sun go down.
Jean. Mom. Mom Mom. Mam Mam. Your love surrounds us. We feel your presence everyday even though we can no longer see you, hug you, or touch you. You had a way in helping people, generously putting others needs before your own. You warmly shared your smile with both friend and stranger. A friend you always made. Despite the years that have passed, you maintained contact with many acquaintances from all our family moves. You enriched our lives by your attendance at every one of our athletic events, milestone achievements, and scholastic awards. Through your love, you embraced and referred to both son-in-law and daughter-in-law as your own. Family was not limited by blood, but rather grew by relationship and friendship. Jean, Mom, Mom Mom, Mam Mam, your spirit continues to live through those of us you have touched and inspired. We love you dearly. Memories treasured by all. You prioritized time for family, nurturing your grandchildren and great-grandchildren… they were an inspiration to you. We were honored to be present for your life’s closure, when God called you home. Surviving in addition to her husband, one son: Bill, husband of Merrilee Carlin, Georgia. Two daughters: Lyn, wife of the late Joe Brubaker, Landisville; and Ann Kelly, Elizabethtown. Three grandchildren: Renee Rankin, Elizabethtown; Justin, husband of Jamie Carlin, Georgia; and Becca Carlin, Georgia. Two great-grandchildren: Alex Wilkinson and Karissa Rankin, both of Elizabethtown. Four grand-felines: Calvin, Felix, Mason, and Murphy. One sister: Ethel “Toots” , wife of the late Claude “Mike” Cochran, Coatesville.
The Memorial Service will be held at a later date, at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Hephzibah Baptist Cemetery, East Fallowfield, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to: the Building Fund of Mountville Church of the Brethren, 60 Clay Street, Mountville, PA 17554. Arrangements by the Workman Funeral Homes, Inc., Mountville/Columbia. To send an online condolence, visit the condolence page.