STRONG – Jean (nee Moore) – November 3, 2019. Born April 10, 1926 in Holland, New York. Jean graduated from Holland Central School in 1943 and graduated from Buffalo State Teachers College in1947. She received her Master’s Degree in 1957 from State Teachers College. In 1947 Miss Moore married Carlyle J. Strong, her high school sweetheart. In 1955 they attempted to adopt a 2 year old boy. Unfortunately, one month before the adoption was finalized, Mr. Strong was killed in a fishing accident. The courts took the child back as the law at the time required two parents be living to adopt. Jean never remarried. Jean taught 34 years in the Amherst Central School system. She taught at Harlem Road Elementary and the Smallwood Drive school. During those years, she gave yearly musical programs that included all 4 third grades. Along with her closest friend, Jean took a 5 month sabbatical to England and Europe to visit innovative English programs. She served over 10 years as representative to the Amherst Teachers Association and belonged to the Retired Teachers Association and the NYS Retired Teachers Association.

She was an antique doll collector and belonged to the WNY Doll Club, the United federation of Doll Clubs and gave many presentations to both, as well as churches, community centers and other clubs. She served as president of her doll club from 1985 to 1987 and attended the national conventions each year. She lost her family early in life and her friends later but she always said that her remaining friends and her cat were her “family”. A Memorial service will be held Friday at 11 AM at Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Highway, Snyder, NY. A private burial with her husband will be held at the Holland Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined.

Obituary courtesy of Buffalo News.