Jean McClellan Dibble passed away June 9, 2021 in Lake Oswego OR at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Arthur Eugene (Gene) Dibble, March 12, 2006, and her three younger siblings: sisters Barbara McClellan Morgan (Larry, also deceased) and Rae McClellan Jacobsen (Dave); and brother, Kenneth McClellan (Joan, also deceased). She is survived by her half-brother, Gerald R. McClellan of Corona del Mar CA, and her two children, Ronald Alan Dibble (Lynn) of Dayton OH and Shawna Dibble Rohner of Lake Oswego OR, and their families.
Jean is now happily reunited with her loving husband, siblings and parents, George Alma McClellan, Jr. and Marvel Donelson McClellan of Salt Lake City UT. In addition to her living children, Jean will be missed by 7 grown grandchildren and 13 loving great-grandchildren.
Born February 11, 1926, she grew up in Sugarhouse on 9th East and graduated from South High School. Jean met a returned missionary, Gene Dibble, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple, May 16, 1945, and then left Utah for Norfolk VA after Gene enlisted in the Navy during the latter stages of WW II. She enjoyed becoming “Jean and Gene” to friends and family, and relished telling the story of living in a “converted chicken coop” during their Navy days in Norfolk VA.
After war’s end, Gene graduated from the UC San Francisco Dental School and became a commissioned dental officer in the US Air Force, a perfect outcome for Jean’s independent, wandering spirit. Their military assignments included duty stations in McChord AFB WA; Tachikawa AFB Japan; Travis AFB CA; Hanscom AFB MA; Elmendorf AFB AK; and retirement from the Air Force at McClellan AFB CA. An adventurer at heart, she loved to travel and explore the interesting surroundings at each location.
After military retirement, Gene joined the teaching faculty at the University of Pacific Dental School in downtown San Francisco. This gave Jean an opportunity to own and enjoy her first “civilian” home. Residing in Moraga CA, they were able to savor the beauty of the Bay Area and host many dental students for home-cooked dinners.
Entering full retirement in 1992, they moved to the retirement community of Sun City West, AZ where Jean enjoyed the sunshine and casual lifestyle of her desert home; playing bridge, creating costumes and performing in the local musical theater. In 2002, Gene and Jean moved to Carman Oaks, a senior living center, in Lake Oswego, OR, to be near their daughter, Shawna, as Gene began experiencing declining health and needed additional support. After Gene’s passing in 2006, Jean lost her vision to macular degeneration, but with great faith, fortitude, and perseverance continued to live independently for nearly 15 years.
Resilient, opinionated, feisty, fanciful story teller, and courageous in the end, we will miss the iconic personality and memorable character that her grands knew as “Nana.” Having lived a long and full life, she peacefully left this earth ready to be re-united with her eternal companion, “Papa.” We love and miss you, Mom!
Private graveside and dedicatory services for the family will be held at 10:00AM Saturday, June 26, 2021 followed at 11:00AM by a public memorial service in the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel, 3401, S. Highland Dr., Millcreek UT 84106. A family luncheon will follow the memorial service at the nearby Salt Lake Winder Stake Center, 1361 E. 4000 S., Salt Lake City UT 84124.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to veterans’ support services, such as Wounded Warriors and Tunnels2Towers, is encouraged.
