Jean Ann Gravlin

Jean Ann Murphy Gravlin, 75, of Colorado Springs, CO, passed away at 1:30am at Memorial Central Hospital after complications associated with treatment for her epilepsy.

Born in Wilmington, Ohio, Jean was the daughter of Glenn Erwin “Speed” Murphy and Miriam Jean Gillam Murphy. She shared her childhood on the farm with her brother John Murphy. She graduated from Wilmington High School in 1965.

Jean attended Wilmington College where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Kappa sorority. Receiving a bachelor’s degree in education in 1969, it was during her time at Wilmington that she also met her husband, Thomas Edward Gravlin, who she married December 20th, 1969.

Tom and Jean started their life together in Northport, Long Island near Tom’s parents, Lillie Thompson and Emerson Gravlin. Jean took her first teaching job at Hauppauge Elementary School while Tom began a long career for the Shell Oil Company. Prior to starting a family, Tom and Jean enjoyed sailing on Emerson’s boat in Long Island Sound and camping with friends. Jean also became an avid oil painter, focusing primarily on sailing and beach scenes. Eventually becoming a member of the Huntington Art League, her works were exhibited at various sites on Long Island, as well as Lincoln Center in NYC.

In 1973 Jean gave birth to her son, Thomas Emerson, and in 1977 her daughter, Susan Patricia. After the birth of their children, Tom and Jean embarked upon the first of many moves around the country for Tom’s job. They lived in New Jersey, Iowa, Texas, Florida and New York. In 1994 they moved to Centerville, Ohio to be closer to Jean’s family and for Tom to retire. While in Ohio, Jean enjoyed being with her family, traveling the world with Tom and being an active member in Southminster Presbyterian’s Alpha group. She was also blessed with her first three granddaughters, Evelyn, Roxanne and Emerson.

Following her husband Tom’s passing in 2013, Jean moved to Colorado to be closer to her daughter in 2017. While in Colorado, Jean enjoyed hiking, painting and being close to her granddaughter, Ava Mae. She was also an avid member of the local PEO chapter.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Tom and Amy Gravlin, daughter and son-in-law Susan and Kyle Lynch, granddaughters Evelyn Gravlin, Roxanne Gravlin, Emerson Gravlin, Ava Mae Lynch, brother and sister-in-law John and Kay Murphy as well as countless extended family and friends.

Jean was an exceptional mother and friend. Her mantras of “Slow down, be positive, smile and love one another,” will never be forgotten.

A memorial service will be held at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 7001 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton Ohio 45459, on Saturday, January 14th at 3pm. Donations can be made to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region in remembrance of Jean Gravlin.

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