Jeanne S. Thayer

Charlotte - Jeanne Smith Thayer, 96, died March 16, 2014 at Southminster. She was born June 28, 1917 in Evanston, Illinois, daughter of the late Julian Eugene Smith, Jr. and Rebecca Ruth Sleicher Smith.

Mrs. Thayer grew up in the Chicago area. She graduated from Deerfield-Shields Township High School in Highland Park and attended the University of Illinois where she became a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She then worked as a secretary for various firms in Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco. At the end of World War II, she served with the American Red Cross in Europe. Upon returning to the U.S., she graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle, class of 1948, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1951, she met her husband, John Ewen Thayer, while on a ski vacation in Aspen, Colorado. They were married for 51 years, living in Wilmette, IL, Summit, NJ, and Greenville, SC. Following his death in 2002, she moved to Charlotte.

Mrs. Thayer was a lifelong Episcopalian. She taught Sunday School and was active in Church ministries. She was most recently a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte.

Mrs. Thayer is survived by her daughter, Julie Thayer Lavoie and husband David; grandchildren, Douglas K. Lavoie, Rebecca L. Arnold and husband Evan, all of Charlotte. She was predeceased by her brother, Julian Monroe Smith.

A memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 115 West 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 on Friday, March 21st at 11:00 am. Interment will take place at the Garden of the Resurrection, Calvary Church, Summit, NJ at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church; the American Red Cross, 2425 Park Rd., Charlotte 28203; or Kanuga Conferences, P.O. Box 250, Hendersonville, NC 28793.