Jean H. Thomason

Mary Jean Healan Thomason of Dayton, OH and Nashville TN, formerly of Bowling Green, KY, died on December 13, 2017, at home surrounded by her family. She was born in Winder, Georgia,, on October 14,1928, to James Franklin and Ethel Shed Healan. She was married for 66 years to Hugh Maxson Thomason, who predeceased her in 2014. She is survived by daughters, Susan Thomason Sauer (Daniel) of Dayton, OH, and Alice Thomason Bolster (Robert) of Nashville, TN, sons Philip J. M. Thomason of Nashville, TN, and Richard S. Thomason (Heidi Goldstein) of Berkeley, CA., eight grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Jean graduated Summa Cum Laude from North Georgia College and earned an M. A. degree from Western Kentucky University.

She was a Life Member of the Girl Scouts of America, having served as Troop Leader, Council President, and Trainer and was the recipient of the Thanks Badge, the highest recognition given by the Girl Scouts.

Jean was one of the founders of the preservation advocacy group, the Landmark Association, in Bowling Green, KY, was President or board member for 24 years, and was the recipient of the association’s Heritage Award. She served on the Kentucky Heritage Council and on the Kentucky Historic Preservation Review Board.

Jean taught courses at Western Kentucky University, beginning the first Real Estate courses offered there, and also taught in the English and Folk Studies areas. Jean was President of Jean Thomason Realty, served as President of the Bowling Green Board of Realtors and was a Board Member for many years. She was named Realtor of the Year and also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Board of Realtors.

In 1983, the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and Delta Sigma Pi, the National Business Fraternity at Western Kentucky University, jointly named Jean the Business Person of the Year for outstanding Business and Professional Competency. She was the first woman in the city to receive this award.

With her husband, Max, she was one of the founders, in 1962, of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, now Church, in Bowling Green. Jean was also a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, which works to preserve Max and Jean’s beloved Appalachian Trail. The Conservancy’s address is 799 Washington Street, P. O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.