Jean H. Smoorenburg

Jean Anne (Huot) Smoorenburg passed away in Conroe, Texas Thursday, March 6th following two months of medical complications. Born February 15, 1948, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, she was the third child and only daughter of Norman and Hazel (Miller) Huot.

Jean attended the University of Massachusetts - Amherst where she obtained her degree in Home Economics. In 1973 she moved to Texas and, in 1977, to Conroe after marrying the love of her life, Anthony Smoorenburg, with whom she had thirty-two wonderful years. When asked about Texas, Jean always said, “I got here as fast as I could.”

Jean is survived by her children Matthew (Andrea) Smoorenburg and Anne (Jeffrey) Williams, her stepchildren Bess (Ronald) Antes, Sarah (Eric) Depperschmidt and Myron Smoorenburg in addition to her daughter Jennifer Jones, her brothers Robert (Lynne) Huot and Richard Huot and family friend Celine Archeny.

Jean was “Oma” to Logan, Kayden, Corbyn, Brinnlynn and Traesyn Smoorenburg, Isabelle Antes, MacKenzie Minner, Kennedy Depperschmidt, Dawson Dillard, Presley Depperschmidt, Jacob Smoorenburg, Sarah McFalls, Tasha Jones, Amanda Jones, and Joshua McFalls in addition to five great grandchildren.

When she wasn’t running a household, family businesses (ASH Automotive Services, Castle Technologies and Huot Holdings) and The Mosswood Homeowners Association, Jean immersed herself in genealogy. In 2019 she was awarded the “William Harley Gandy Distinguished Service Award” by the Montgomery County Historical Commission for her work which included:

· Editor of the Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society publication The Herald.

· 2011 Instructor of the Year at the Lone Star College Academy for Life Long Learning.

· Stewart Library “Beginning Genealogy” Instructor.

· Montgomery County Genealogists’ Internet Research Group (IRG) creator and instructor in collaboration with good friend Phyllis Stehm.

· Indexed MCMLS Family files.

· Creator and Editor of TXGenWeb sites for Montgomery and Robertson Counties.

· DNA Discussion Group Instructor at The Montgomery County Library.

· Member of the Margaret Montgomery Chapter of the DAR where she managed the website, produced the yearbook, and coordinated the Lunch Bunch Group.

· Vice President and founding member of the Conroe Community Cemetery Association where she was instrumental in obtaining 501(c)(3) Public Non-Profit status and, on her recent birthday, a Historic Texas Cemetery Marker.

Jean will be deeply missed by her family, her friends and those whose lives she touched through “Jeanealogy.”

A celebration of her life will be held March 22nd at 2pm at Forest Park Cemetery Chapel, 18000 I-45S The Woodlands. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Montgomery County Memorial Library System - Genealogy Library, Conroe Community Cemetery Restoration Project or the charity of your choice.