Aiken, South Carolina
Nellysford, Virginia
By Tommy Stafford
My phone rang a few days ago. The caller ID said, “Jennifer Rice calling.” My dentist friend was letting me know her husband Dr. Jim Rice, DDS had just received word that his longtime friend, and retired office manager, Jean Boone, had died.
“If I were to use one word to describe Jean it would be trustworthy. Her loyalty and devotion to us could never be exceeded. I tear up writing this, I think how grateful we are to have had Jean be such a huge part of our life,” Jim told me over the weekend.
Once again I find myself writing about someone that’s left us recently. I knew her well, many of you did too. On June 19th, Jean passed away. Jean was more than just a name to me. We met her shortly after moving here in 2004. Her daughter Becca babysat our kids from time to time in the early days along with her close friend Tori Ashley.
I tell you what I loved most about Jean. Her directness. You never had to guess what she was thinking, which made me laugh so many times. Belly laugh! I’d often tell her, “Jean, don’t beat around the bush!” This after she’d told me in no uncertain terms what she thought on a certain matter. One of her most endearing qualities.
I was sad when she told me she was moving to South Carolina to be near her daughter and her husband along with the grandkids, but totally understood. I clearly remember driving up to her house here in Nelson the day before she was leaving. I took her a bottle of champagne and wished her well with a big hug. She’d become a person that meant that much in the time I got to know her.
Jim continued remembering Jean in our conversation, “Jean worked for us for 23 years. Obviously, a lot of life happens in that time. We helped raise each other’s kids, took care of pets, accidents and loss of loved ones. Most people who knew her through the office simply viewed her as an extension of Jennifer and me. Even my parents, when they were still with us, would call Jean and schedule their visits via her. She’d come back and say, By the way, your mom and dad are coming to visit next Friday and they’re leaving after their dental appointments Monday morning. All personal leave for us was scheduled through her, so she’d know if we were going anywhere.”
What I’ll personally miss now is just knowing I could text Jean down there in South Carolina and see how things were going or what she thought about something in the news. That saddens me to think I can’t anymore.
Becca and friends have asked me to pass along that there will be a memorial for Jean at Veritas Vineyard and Winery Saturday August 2 from 2-5 PM. It will be held at the picnic tables in the woods. I’m told it’s a casual hang out type memorial with light snacks and wine. Exactly how Jean would want it! Becca is also asking that anyone with photos of Jean to bring them. They want to add them to an album there for people to write about what they remember about Jean.
Jean, you were definitely one of the good ones and I will miss you big time. Smile down on us from time to time as I know you will 🙂
