Obituary of Rosanna Jean McLean

Rosanna J. "Jean" (Branstetter) McLean 7/1/39 - 6/9/12 Resident of Santa Cruz Jean McLean passed away on June 9th, after an 8-year battle with carcinoid cancer. She was 72. Jean was born July 1, 1939 in Pauls Valley, OK to Joseph and Geneva "Gen" Branstetter. The family gradually moved westward, finally settling in Santa Cruz. She has been a resident of Santa Cruz for 69 years. Jean attended many of the county elementary schools, and graduated from Santa Cruz High School, class of 1957. Jean also attended Monterey Peninsula and Cabrillo colleges. Jean worked as a clerk for the County of Santa Cruz until her children started school, so she could be at home for them. She often assisted in their classrooms, and volunteered in the DeLaVeaga Elementary School library for many years. She was a supporter of her children's sports and activities, becoming actively involved in the G.A.L.S. softball league, often running the snack bar during games. When the kids got older, she went back to work part-time at Hartsell Court Reporters, then returned to work full-time for Santa Cruz County as a secretary for the Human Resources Department, from which she retired in 2001. An avid reader, Jean never went anywhere without a book in her purse. Her other interests included antiquing; RV'ing, especially to visit her grandkids in Oregon and Washington, of whom she was exceptionally proud; bowling, recently belonging to two senior leagues; and she loved to dance, especially swing dancing. Jean had a radiant smile and kind word for everyone she met, and was a surrogate mother to many. She will be deeply missed by her many friends who are too numerous to name. Jean is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robertson (Bob or Robbie) McLean; son Bill McLean of Eugene, OR; daughter Judy (McLean) Briggs of Renton, WA; daughter-in-law Judy (Moore) McLean of Eugene, OR; brother Robert (Ada) Branstetter of Santa Rosa, CA ; and grandsons Alex and Robert McLean of Eugene, and Kyle Briggs of Renton, WA, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceeded in death by her parents; her nephew John McLean; and by her niece Karin (Branstetter) Skelton. No services will be held at her request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to VFW at 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111