Jean Steiner Ward

Jean Steiner Ward completed her journey here on earth on October 3, 2026, a few days shy of turning 80. She had just returned from a week-long road trip with her beloved husband and daughter that was bursting with laughter, adventure, hand-holding, and beauty. She was still riding the high when she passed at home in Colorado with Jerry at her side.

Jeannie was born in Brooklyn, NY to Jean Sherwood Steiner and Stuart Grey Steiner on October 13, 1946. She was the middle child, happily sandwiched between brothers Robert Sherwood Steiner and Williams Keith Steiner. During her childhood in Wayne, PA, Jeannie was the belle of the ball at Conestoga High School formals (even accidentally juggling 2 dates at once on one occasion) and made her tv debut as a spotlight dancer on American Bandstand. She excelled in her classes at Harcum Junior College until she left to follow her first husband, James Schneider, in the Navy. They had one daughter, Lauren Schneider Whittemore, the light of Jeannie’s life. Jeannie always wanted to be a teacher or a guidance counselor, but as a single mother she dedicated herself to supporting her daughter as a Legal Assistant in Atlanta for 40 years at Hansell and Post as well as at Jones, Day, Reavis and Pogue. She loved the work and her colleagues and was exceptionally good at her job. Balancing motherhood and work, she still found time to travel with the Atlanta Ski Club, to rock her leotard in Jazzercise, to keep her home spotlessly clean, and to take long walks on beaches whenever possible. She always wanted to do more than was possible in a day, and regularly managed to accomplish the impossible.

In 1979, Jerry Bernard Ward knew he’d found his match in Jeannie, but she wasn’t quite ready to give up her newly-found independence. Lucky for all of us, he persisted, and his excellent cooking and silly jokes won the day and her hand. Jeannie was blessed to gain another daughter through their marriage, her cherished Phebe Ann (Ward) Hendrix.  Jeannie and Jerry were happily married for 43 devoted years, probably because Jerry continued to cook for her and made her laugh every day. They loved spending time on the lake, hosting big family gatherings, splitting time between Georgia and Colorado, and travelling the world together. They spent all the time they could spoiling their 6 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, and 1 great-grandson.

 Teenie-weenie-Jeannie’s heart and feet were child-sized, but her dedication and grit, and her ability to love and forgive were super-sized. She talked to everyone, made friends easily, shopped with great endurance, and loved her family fiercely. She loved each one of us fully, and that love was unshakable. If a grandchild asked her to do something, by golly she’d do it, from riding horses to terrifying waterslides, and even camping without a hair dryer.

Jeannie loved God and looked forward to being reunited with her loved ones in Heaven, especially her parents and her older brother, Bob.  She is survived by her husband Jerry; her brother Keith; her daughter Lauren and son-in-law Don; her daughter Phebe Ann and son-in-law Andy; her grandchildren Rebecca, Samantha, Phebe Louann, Priscilla, Lili, Madison, Nevin and Harrison; her great-grandson Noah; a bounty of Sherwood, Steiner and Kiskaddon cousins; her treasured nieces and nephews; and her many dear friends.

She made a difference in every life she touched. She will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

 A small celebration of life will be held in Boulder, CO, on Saturday, October 17th, at 10:00 AM followed by brunch. Reach out to Jerry or Lauren if you would like to attend.

 Another celebration of Jeannie’s life for family and friends will take place the weekend of December 5th near her home in Gainesville, GA. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend. The family will share specific details and locations for the December service at a later date.

To honor Jeannie (and in lieu of flowers), we invite you to make a donation to one of these amazing organizations:

 Emory University Hospital Cardiology Research Fund -

https://giving.emory.edu/products/emory-university-hospital-cardiology-cardiothoracic-surgery

 The American Cancer Society –

https://American Cancer Society/?campaign=incentivehubhonmemmedia

We encourage you to find joy in doing something Jeannie loved: take a walk, spend time in your garden, pick up the phone to call a loved one, or chat up a stranger. Life is precious. Soak it up.