Obituary of Jean R. Hart

Reverend Jean R. Hart October 25, 1947 - February 28, 2012 After a valiant battle against cancer, Jean Hart passed away peacefully at home, lovingly surrounded by family and friends. Jean will be dearly missed by all those whose lives she has touched, and will always remain "the wind beneath her partner, Gail's, wings." Jean was born October 25, 1947 to Raymond and Bertha (Betty) Hart, in Sacramento, California. At the age of 2, they relocated to Woodland, CA, where the family soon welcomed Jean's younger sister, Shirley. Following graduation from Woodland High School, Jean attended Sacramento City College. She received her B.A. in Philosophy from CSU Sacramento. In her early 20's, Jean answered a call to ministry and moved to Los Angeles to attend Samaritan Seminary. After being licensed as a minister in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Churches (MCC), she pastored for three years each in Canoga Park and Stockton. In 1988 Jean moved to Santa Cruz to become senior pastor of MCC Santa Cruz (later renamed Lavender Road MCC), where she remained for 17 years until her retirement in 2005. Reverend Hart was ordained by MCC in 1996. Jean was a pastor to many in the LGBT community, whether they ever entered the doors of the church or not. She made herself available to all who were in need. Jean devoted her life to helping people through the caring professions. In addition to her ministry, Jean worked for the welfare department in both Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties, as well as for Planned Parenthood. She always had time to listen and show you that she cared. Jean was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Hart; sister, Shirley Hart; step-father, William Conroy; aunt, Mary Carlson; and father-in-law, Robert Evans. She is survived by her adoring partner of 19 years, Gail Evans; mother, Betty Conroy; uncle, Larry Brown; niece, Kimberly Campbell; nephew, Michael Zuniga; great-nieces, Hannah Martinez (Juan) and Rebekah Hogan; great-nephews, Michael Zuniga, Jr., Joel Atkinson, and Zachary Zuniga; mother-in-law, Janet Evans; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Tyese Evans; nieces-in-law, Kristin Evans (Scott) and Kara Evans (Jesse); "daughters of her heart" Alisa Sutherland (John) and Christen Ziegler; her beloved Great Dane Sweetpea and "Chorkie" Sophie; and many friends and family members. She will be missed and dearly loved forever and always. Services will be held March 24th at 1:00 PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Cruz (420 Melrose Ave.), and will be officiated by Reverend Karla Norton and Reverend Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Churches (mccchurch.org/) or Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA, 95066. Jean and Gail would like to thank all of their amazing friends and family members for their unceasing support during Jean's illness, as well as the "angels" from Care From the Heart and Hospice who tended to her every need. And a special thanks to Jean's primary care giver, Maria Tapia, who truly became a beloved member of our family over the past six months, and to Hospice nurse Kathleen Carter for ensuring Jean's comfort at all times.