Jean Elizabeth Ewing

On this day of our Lord, January 4, 2016, God called home his daughter, Jean Elizabeth Frantum Ewing. Jean was born November 28, 1945, to Stewart Howard Frantum and Thelma Hopkins Frantum. She was a happy little girl who loved her baby brother, Stewart Jr. When her parents divorced and her Dad remarried, Jean and her brother were blessed with a new mom, Janet, who loved them to the moon and back from the very beginning. Jean graduated from high school and moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland where she met and married (Thomas) Joe Ewing. She became stepmom to three children, and soon she and Joe had a baby boy, Stewart Dale. Jean was at her best when she was a mom and homemaker. In 1992, Jean began the long and painful journey with multiple chronic illnesses. She was often in the hospital for long periods with even longer rehabilitation stays. The disabilities and illness never put a dent in her spirit. Jean believed a smile or a joke was the best medicine for her and her caregivers. Jean often found herself in the role of teacher to inexperienced health care staff when she needed a painful or difficult procedure. When she was working hard in physical therapy to regain her strength, she often was a cheerleader for the entire department, encouraging others to work hard. Jean would often read long into the night with her room a refuge for staff who might have needed a quiet restful moment or a listening ear. She was committed to participation in her care with a determination to avoid dependence on others whenever possible. Over the years as adults, Jean and her three sisters came to describe themselves as best friends. Shirley, Linda, and Elaine would talk with Jean every day to share a quick story or a problem or a frustration. The sisters were her advocate for her healthcare and well-being. She was their angel on earth and will be their angel in heaven. She will watch over them forever. Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Stewart and Janet Frantum. She is survived by her husband, Joe, and three stepchildren, Sharon, Donna and her husband Richard, (Thomas) Joe Jr.; and her son, Stewart and his wife Rebecca. She will be missed by her grandchildren, Laura, Michael, Brittany, Aiden, Ashley, Hailey and Hunter. She loved helping with the new babies and was thrilled to hug and kiss on the great-grandbabies, Jeremy, Jason, Joshua, Jayden, Colton, Jade, Faith-Lynn, Tinsley, and Cayden. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Easton, Saturday, January 16, 2016. Fellowship with family and friends will be from 2 p.m. until 4 pm. A Blessing for Jean’s life will be at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Ridgely Police Dept. K-9 Unit, 2 Central Ave., Ridgely, MD 21660.

Jean Elizabeth Ewing

November 28, 1945 - January 4, 2016