Geneva “Jean” Inez Lester, 81, died August 24, 2005 at Providence Medical Center in Everett following a brief illness. Jean was born on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1923 in Terrel, Texas to Arthur and Mayme Metcalf.

She grew up in Texas and married Charles Michael Lester on Oct. 24, 1939.  In 1947 Jean and Charles moved to Washington, settling in Coupeville in 1949. They had four sons together. Just a few months short of their 30th wedding anniversary, Charles passed away suddenly in 1969. Jean married her current husband, Everett Rupp, in 1982.

Jean worked as a cook for the Coupeville School District, at Whidbey General Hospital, and at the Tyee Restaurant. When she wasn’t cooking professionally, Jean baked pies, cookies and meals for friends, family and acquaintances. For nearly 50 years her home in Coupeville was a loving, welcoming place full of good smells, teddy bears and Elvis memorabilia.  Jean was always willing to lend a sympathetic ear and feed a hungry visitor.

In 1964 Jean celebrated 25 years of marriage to her husband, Charles. In 2002 she celebrated 20 years of marriage to her current husband, Everett.  Jean was a loving and loyal wife to each of her husbands. She was a loving and giving mother to her four sons and a wonderful grandma to all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jean is survived by her husband, Everett Rupp, who lives at Regency in Oak Harbor. She is survived by three of her sons and their wives: Lowell Richard Lester and his wife, Melody, of Coupeville; James Phillip Lester and his wife, Lynette, of Everett; and Thomas Kelly Lester and his wife, Holly, of Anacortes. Jean’s son, Charles Michael “Mike” Lester preceded his mother in death in 2000. In addition, Jean is survived by her stepdaughter, Julie Hodges, and by her 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Jean Lester will be held Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. at the New Covenant Fellowship, 29470 State Route 20, Oak Harbor. The church is located on the east side of Highway 20, approximately two miles south of Oak Harbor or eight miles north of Coupeville. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.