Jean was born Emily Jane Vincent on Aug. 5, 1918, in Alma, Prince Edward Island, Canada. She died on Oct. 21, 2018 on Whidbey Island.
After her young mother died, she was adopted at the age of 5 by her fraternal aunt Ella Higgins and her husband John Higgins, who “modernized” her name to Jean.
Her earliest memory was of riding a train to Boston with her “new mother,” and greeting her handsome “new father” in his Army uniform at the train station.
At the age of 12, she traveled with her parents through the Panama Canal to Hawaii, where her father had been assigned to Schofield Barracks. Both of her parents became ill there, and her father, who served in France in WWI, retired with a combat-related disability. They moved to San Francisco, at which time her mother concluded that they should live in Coupeville on Whidbey Island.
They came to Whidbey via coach and Army boats, and bought a charming bungalow in the heart of town.
An outgoing child, and a natural athlete, Jean thrived in Coupeville schools, and participated in every sport available to young women, every theatrical opportunity, and all activities where she could lend her prodigious enthusiasm and energy.
At the age of 19, she married 20-year-old Edwin Sherman, the son of a local farmer. They shared 59 years of genuinely hard work, a mutual sense of humor, a fantastic social and civic life, travels, and strong, long friendships that most people could only wish for.
She sincerely enjoyed being the supportive wife for her husband’s dedication to their community. She was an extraordinarily sharp Bridge player.
Jean enjoyed years of playing golf at Whidbey Golf Club, until an uncooperative shoulder made her “give up the clubs” in her mid-80s.
She retired from the Island County Treasurer’s office, having served as a deputy treasurer for 30 years.
Five years after Edwin’s death, while in her early 80s, she moved from the farm to her new, contemporary home in “town.” and continued to enjoy entertaining friends and family into her late 90s. She drove about town in her 1992 Sedan de Ville until the age of 99.
In January of this year, she chose to move into Regency on Whidbey in Oak Harbor, where she was treated as royalty, and, once again, enjoyed a change that life brought to her.
“Don’t you think I have the best room in the house?” she would ask.
At the age of 100, over 350 friends and relatives gathered in Coupeville to celebrate her birthday with a parade. It was a fabulous celebration for a life well lived.
She leaves three grateful children, all living in Coupeville: Vincent Sherman, Dale Sherman and his wife Elizabeth, and Marilyn Sherman Clay and her husband, Bob.
Her grandchildren are Scott Chamberlin, Shannon Sherman Martin, Matt Sherman, Corrie Chamberlin, Amanda Sherman Cook, Alix Roos, Carl Sherman and Britt Sherman, and great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family members that she held very dear.
At her request, there will be no memorial service. Her parade was a glorious send-off. She also requested that she have no obituary. That’s one request we are ignoring.
If you wish to make a donation to honor her life, Jean was very proud of her role in establishing our Whidbey Island hospital, and loved her farm within Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. WhidbeyHealth Foundation or Friends of Ebey’s are suggestions.
