Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Services Saturday for Jean Lynn McGroarty

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Jean Lynn McGroarty, 66, of Flora, died Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Kokomo. She had battled breast cancer since 1992.

She was born Aug. 31, 1951, in Chesterton, Indiana, to the late Edward and Catherine (Swenson) McGroarty.

On Dec. 4, 1976, she married David Samuelson in Battle Ground and he survives.

McGroarty's survivors include her sister Susan Kurman (Allan) of Albuquerque; brother James (Judy) McGroarty of Indianapolis; daughters Nora Samuelson of Pittsburgh and Haley Samuelson of Logansport; and grandson Owen Couchman of Zionsville. A sister, Ellen Young, preceded her in death. She also maintained a loving relationship with her former son-in-law Randy Couchman of Zionsville and his wife, Abby Fuller-Couchman.

After graduation from Chesterton High School, McGroarty attended Purdue University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in French and Secondary Education in 1972. After working for the Tippecanoe Historical Association, the Girl Scouts of Sycamore Council and the Tippecanoe County Humane Society, she became Executive Director of the Providence (R.I.) Animal Rescue League in 2004. Two years later she became Executive Director of the Kokomo Humane Society and was instrumental in creating a capital campaign raising funds for a new facility, currently under construction. Health reasons forced her retirement in 2014. McGroarty was also an active member of the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators, receiving her certification in 2006. She was active in the arts, supervising productions for Civic Theater of Greater Lafayette and performing with its improv troupe, "One Size Fits All." McGroarty was also a published author, contributing two essays to Nina Shandler's 2001 book Ophelia's Mom. A member of the Story Circle Network, McGroarty chaired its National Conference Scholarship Committee in 2002.

McGroarty's life will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 21, at the Hippensteel Tribute Center; 405 Cottage Street; Delphi, Indiana. Visitation will be begin at 1 p.m. Interment will be in Pentwater Township Cemetery; Pentwater, Mich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Kokomo Humane Society Building Fund; 713 N. Elizabeth St.; Kokomo, IN 46901.

Please share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com

 

Posted 10/17/2017

 
 
 
 

 

 

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