In Memory Of
Jean Hall
Jean Hall
Jean Lou Ripley Abernathy Hall, 86, died Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at a Topeka hospital. She was born August 24, 1921, to John Wilbur Fiske Ripley and Dorothy Louise Wahle Ripley of Potwin Place, Topeka, Kansas. John Ripley was an owner and manager of the family laundry and dry cleaners, Ripley's, and active in Topeka community affairs. Jean was proud to be a fourth-generation Topekan.
Jean attended Potwin Grade School, Roosevelt Jr. High, Topeka High School, Washburn University, and the New York School of Interior Design. At Washburn she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. During high school and college she lived on Crestview Hill in Topeka.
Jean married Howard Abernathy in September 1942. They lived in New York City, traveled with jazz bands, and lived at the US Navy training station in Sampson, New York, where Abernathy was a navy musician. When they returned to Topeka Abernathy joined the family laundry. They later divorced.
Jean worked at the Menninger Foundation, at Vivian's gift store in Holiday Square, and for many years at Billie's woman's wear store in the Westboro Mart. She was active in the Topeka Junior League and in the "birthday club" of friends from high school and college. Jean was stylish, following and modeling the latest trends in clothing and jewelry. She was also a creative artist in painting and interior design.
Jean married Stephen M. Hall in 1979. With Steve, Jean lived in Topeka at Peppertree, and in Tucson Arizona in Oro Valley, moving back to Topeka in 2001.
Jean was one of a four-generation line of only daughters: Dorothy Wahle Ripley, Jean, Lou Abernathy McClelland, and Abby Jean McClelland. She is survived by her husband Steve Hall, her daughter Lou Abernathy McClelland of Boulder Colorado and her husband Gary McClelland, and granddaughter Abby Jean McClelland of Los Angeles. Other survivors include two step-daughters, Bonnie Hall McKee of Topeka and Becky Hall Williams of Crittenden, Kentucky; five step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
A commemorative service will be Saturday December 22 at 2pm in the chapel at Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka. A reception at Brewster Place will follow immediately.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Washburn University Endowment Association (1729 SW MacVicar, Topeka, KS 66604) or Brewster Place Foundation (1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66611). In accord with Jean's wishes, her body has been cremated. Inurnment will be in Mt. Hope cemetery at a later date. Penwell-Gabel Midtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Jean attended Potwin Grade School, Roosevelt Jr. High, Topeka High School, Washburn University, and the New York School of Interior Design. At Washburn she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. During high school and college she lived on Crestview Hill in Topeka.
Jean married Howard Abernathy in September 1942. They lived in New York City, traveled with jazz bands, and lived at the US Navy training station in Sampson, New York, where Abernathy was a navy musician. When they returned to Topeka Abernathy joined the family laundry. They later divorced.
Jean worked at the Menninger Foundation, at Vivian's gift store in Holiday Square, and for many years at Billie's woman's wear store in the Westboro Mart. She was active in the Topeka Junior League and in the "birthday club" of friends from high school and college. Jean was stylish, following and modeling the latest trends in clothing and jewelry. She was also a creative artist in painting and interior design.
Jean married Stephen M. Hall in 1979. With Steve, Jean lived in Topeka at Peppertree, and in Tucson Arizona in Oro Valley, moving back to Topeka in 2001.
Jean was one of a four-generation line of only daughters: Dorothy Wahle Ripley, Jean, Lou Abernathy McClelland, and Abby Jean McClelland. She is survived by her husband Steve Hall, her daughter Lou Abernathy McClelland of Boulder Colorado and her husband Gary McClelland, and granddaughter Abby Jean McClelland of Los Angeles. Other survivors include two step-daughters, Bonnie Hall McKee of Topeka and Becky Hall Williams of Crittenden, Kentucky; five step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
A commemorative service will be Saturday December 22 at 2pm in the chapel at Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka. A reception at Brewster Place will follow immediately.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Washburn University Endowment Association (1729 SW MacVicar, Topeka, KS 66604) or Brewster Place Foundation (1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66611). In accord with Jean's wishes, her body has been cremated. Inurnment will be in Mt. Hope cemetery at a later date. Penwell-Gabel Midtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jean Hall, please visit our flower store.
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