O’Shea, Jean (1920-2022)

O’SHEA, BOYER, DAWE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/28/2022 at 12:27:35

Jean Boyer Dawe O’Shea died peacefully on August 20, 2022 at Wesley Acres Senior Living Community in Des Moines, Iowa. On that day, the world lost a wonderful and compassionate woman who will be missed greatly by everyone who knew her and those whom she helped during her long life.

Jean was born on December 4, 1920 in Woodstock, Virginia to Carl and Sallie Boyer. Jean graduated from Woodstock High School and from Flora MacDonald College (now known as St. Andrew’s College) in ­­­North Carolina. Jean went on to earn two Master’s degrees, the first in Family Life and Child Development from Virginia Tech and the second in Social Work from Tulane University.

Jean was united in marriage to William Llewellyn Dawe, Jr. on January 31, 1943 in Woodstock. They resided in Brooklyn, New York and later in Baltimore, Maryland where they were blessed with two children, William Llewellyn, III and Linda McAllister. Jean suffered great tragedy in 1949 when her husband and mother died on the same day, he from complications of surgery and she in an automobile accident. Despite this tragedy, or perhaps because of it, she lived a life of compassion, kindness and positivity. She and her mother-in-law, Marguerite Dawe, worked to continue the family-owned ship repair business in Baltimore until it was sold. In 1961, Jean married Thomas O’Shea, and they were together for eight years until they divorced. During that time, Jean moved to New Orleans to obtain her Master's degree. Thereafter, Jean was a social worker until she retired in 1978 and moved back to Woodstock. Retirement opened new opportunities for Jean to assist those in need. She volunteered for many social service organizations and her home served as a temporary shelter for women seeking escape from abusive relationships. In addition, Jean kept very busy as a member of various boards, two bridge clubs, two book clubs, the Woodstock Museum, the Presbyterian Church and the Narrow Passage Chapter DAR.

In 1992, Jean and her daughter moved to Des Moines to be closer to her son and his family. In Des Moines, Jean volunteered in the office of Plymouth Congregational Church and for several church service-related committees until her failing health prevented her from continuing. In her final years, Jean received loving care from her family and finally from those at Wesley Acres and Wesley Life Hospice, for which her family is grateful.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, William L. Dawe, Jr. She is survived by her children William L. Dawe III (Sheila Tipton) and Linda McAllister Dawe of Des Moines, by her grandchildren William L. Dawe IV (Aisha), Christopher M. Dawe (Mary), Nicholas A. Dawe, and Alexander M. Dawe, and by her great-grandchildren William V, Titian, Michael, and Claire.

Graveside services and inurnment of cremated remains will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Massanutten Cemetery in Woodstock, Virginia. A memorial service will be held in Des Moines at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Plymouth Congregational Church or Wesley Life Hospice.