Jean Alice Gillman, age 80, of Newark, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on January 8, 2025, after a courageous fight with cancer. Jean was born on September 11, 1944, to the late William Emil and Florence Irene (Van Dorn) Frankenberg, in Columbus, Ohio.

Jean spent her early years surrounded by family, and had many tales of growing up with her cousins and siblings. She graduated from Reynoldsburg High School in 1962, and briefly attended The Ohio State University before moving on to building her career. Her favorite job as a young woman was working for American Airlines, which allowed her to travel and learn about the world. It was during this time that she met her husband Wayne Gillman, and they were married in 1969.

The young couple moved to California, where they started a business and eventually had two children. They divorced in 1983, and in 1986 Jean moved with her two daughters back to Ohio.

After returning to Ohio she leveraged her skills as a secretary to work for different businesses, and also pursued her dream by earning her realtor's license and helping people find their new homes for many a year. Towards the end of her career, she returned to her secretarial skills and worked for the State Medical Board of Ohio. She retired from the State Medical Board and moved away from the hustle and bustle of Columbus, to Newark Ohio in late 2010.

Always strong in her faith, she found a new home in the Neal Avenue Methodist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir, participating in many different groups, and helping provide desserts for the community dinners. She also loved crocheting and knitting, and some of her most rewarding work was in creating blankets and hats for the Newborns In Need Greater Newark Chapter. Jean was a lifelong cat lover and cherished the companionship of many feline friends. She also enjoyed gardening and tending to her giant Clematis, baking cakes and cookies, and sewing the occasional item for her family or friends. She created many beautiful quilts and Christmas ornaments which are cherished by all who were gifted them. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, friends, and neighbors.

Jean is survived by her children, Jennifer Noel Greene, Rani Christine (Michael) Conger; grandchildren, Xander Greene, Nailyan and Wilhelmina Conger; sister, Terri (Bob) Carlow.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her grandchild, Jareth Greene; brother, Roger Frankenberg.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of Licking Memorial Hospital and The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital for taking such good care of Jean in her final weeks.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 6 - 8 PM at the Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home in Newark, Ohio. Her service will follow Wednesday, at 11 am at the Neal Avenue Methodist Church, 12 Neal Avenue, Newark, Ohio, with Pastor Drew Watson officiating. She will be laid to rest in Glen Rest Memorial Estate in Reynoldsburg, Ohio with her mother and father.

Donations in Jean's memory can be made to her two favorite charitable organizations, the Hope Landing program through Fostering Further, and Newborns in Need Greater Newark Chapter.

Online condolences can be made at www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com