South Orleans - Kathryn “Jean” Uebele passed away gracefully at her home in South Orleans on Sunday, July 7 surrounded by the love of her family. Jean was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 23, 1926, to Albert and Kathryn (Johnson) Cross. She was raised in Chatham, New Jersey. She was the devoted wife and partner of the late Kurt Uebele for 65 years.
Jean and Kurt met in high school on a double blind date. Kurt conveniently drove, and dropped his and Jean’s “dates” off first so he could take Jean home. The romance that blossomed was just the beginning of their 65 year love story. Jean worked as a middle school secretary while raising her daughters Karen and Kathi. Jean was the driving force in planning the family camping vacations to beaches on Cape Cod and along the eastern seaboard. When Jean and Kurt approached retirement, they built an authentic Cape Cod home, conveniently located near their favorite beach on Pleasant Bay.
Retirement was only the beginning of more adventures. Together they travelled extensively throughout North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, enjoying the places they went and the many lifelong friendships they made along the way. Jean often reminisced about the four months she and Kurt spent exploring the national parks, all the while staying in a pop-up camper they towed behind their car.
Jean was well known for her inquisitive, adventurous and fun-loving spirit. Her drive led her to become an accomplished sailor. One of her greatest joys was sailing on Pleasant Bay, being at the helm and calling to her crew to “ready about”. She wore a very pleased smile every time she gently brought the boat to rest, nose kissing the mooring, under sail no less.
Jean was an active member of Nauset Newcomers, Nauset Garden Club and the Federated Church of Orleans. She volunteered her time helping at Emmaus House and Katy’s Korner. She had a great love for tennis, bridge and tending to her garden. With her many friends she relished time spent at the Cape Cod Symphony and Boston Ballet. Jean was proud “Nana” to Kelsey and Courtney, to whom she taught her love of Cape Cod, the beach and sailing.
She is survived by her daughters, Karen Uebele of York, Maine and Kathi Whitaker of Boston, and granddaughters Kelsey Whitaker and Courtney Whitaker. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her son-in-law, Wharton Whitaker and her sister, Patricia Brattlof.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, July 14 at the Federated Church of Orleans, 162 Main Street Orleans, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either The Friend’s of Snow Library, P. O. Box 481 Orleans, MA. 02653-0481, or The Cape Cod Symphony, 1060 Falmouth Road, Suite A Hyannis, MA 02601.
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