Jean (Vernon) Eich

Jean V. Eich (88) passed away on December 17, 2017 surrounded by her family at the Hospice House in Youngstown, Ohio. She was born on May 25, 1929 to Maynard and Betty (Snyder) Vernon in Youngstown. She attended Youngstown schools and graduated from South High School in 1947. After attending the College of Wooster, she graduated from The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in 1952.

Jean’s nursing career brought her many happy years of pride and enjoyment. She worked at the North side unit of Youngstown hospitals as a staff nurse and taught obstetrics for what was then the Youngstown Hospital Association School of Nursing.

Jean also enjoyed serving her community. A few of her many contributions include membership on the Monday Musical Board of Directors, Women’s Board of Western Reserve Care System, Forum Health Services Board of Directors, and Clerk of Session at Poland Presbyterian Church. She loved music and sang in both the Poland Presbyterian Church and Siesta Key Chapel choirs for many years.

In 1976, Jean married William L. Eich and they happily shared 33 years of marriage. Since 2000 when Bill retired, they made their home in Sarasota, FL. Jean moved to a retirement community, The Glenridge, in 2013 and returned to Ohio to be closer to family in November 2017.

Family meant everything to Jean. Her family all agrees that she was the best wife, mother and grandmother. Jean leaves four children: Douglas (Patricia) Sweeney of Poland, OH, Linda (Richard) Tsoumas of Battle Creek, MI, David Sweeney of Coronado, CA and Beth Sweeney of Annapolis, MD. She also leaves 3 stepchildren: Larry (Mary Jo) Eich of Seattle, WA, Bradley Eich of Evergreen, CO and Rodger (Kim) Eich of Holland, MI. She adored her 8 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She also leaves Kathleen Sweeney of Coronado, CA.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, William, in 2009, and her only sibling, Robert Vernon of Mission Viejo, CA in 2013. Her former husband and father of her children, Robert Sweeney, passed away in 2002.

Jean was a friend to everyone she met and nurturing friendships came easily to her. She enjoyed being the inaugural Chairman of the committee that welcomed new single female members at the Glenridge in Sarasota. Her family is especially thankful to the many people at the Glenridge and Sunrise of Poland who made Jean’s last few years so special.

Services will be held Friday, December 22, 2017 at the Poland Presbyterian Church with visitation from 9:00 am until 10:45 am and Celebration of Life service at 11:00 am. A committal service will be held in Sarasota, Florida at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests tributes be made to Hospice of the Valley c/o Hospice House, 5190 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512, Siesta Key Chapel Memorial Fund, 4615 Gleason Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34242, or Poland Presbyterian Church at 2 Poland Manor, Poland, Ohio 44514.