Jean Louise Guenveur, generous, loving woman
Jean Louise (Swayze) Guenveur, 96, a former resident of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Virginia Beach, Va.
The daughter of William Wilmer Jr. and Fannie Swayze, Jean was born Dec. 19, 1926, in Wilmington. She attended school in Wilmington and graduated from P.S. DuPont High School in 1945. From there, she enrolled at Edgewood Park School in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Following graduation in 1947, Jean moved back to Wilmington to begin her career as an administrative assistant. Her first position was in the chemical industry followed by a move to TWA. This role took her to New York City, where she worked for the chief pilot. Jean then moved back to Wilmington to continue her career with DuPont and more importantly, to be closer to her husband-to-be, John Carroll Guenveur Jr.
Jean and Jack were married Sept. 29, 1951, in Wilmington. The following year they welcomed their first child, John Carroll III, into the world. The new family moved to Salisbury, Md., where they continued their family with the birth of Bill in 1955 and Carolyn in 1957. In 1988, Jean became a grandmother with the birth of Meredith Anne.
In Salisbury, Jean and Jack lived on Friendly Forest Lane, where they made many lifelong friends. She was an active member at Wicomico Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the junior board at Peninsula General Hospital. At Greenhill Yacht & Country Club, Jean developed her love of golf, which she and Jack shared for many years.
In 1964, the family moved to Laurel, Md. Jean once again became active in the community. She was a member of the Ladies Club and Laurel Presbyterian Church (Women of the Church, choir), a teacher's assistant, and a volunteer at Laurel General Hospital.
In retirement, Jean and Jack returned to Delaware, and settled in Rehoboth Beach. Here they reconnected with friends from childhood, college, and their years of going to the beach. She became a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, the VIA, friends of the library, and she volunteered at Read Aloud Delaware. She made new friends through the church and Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club, where she loved playing golf and bridge.
Jean was an incredible mother and wife who committed her life to her children, husband, family, and community. She never missed a game or school activity. She was a den mother, homeroom mother, chaperone on field trips, and chauffeur for the many after-school activities of her children. Jean was always home when the kids returned from activities or school, and there was always a meal waiting and a greeting asking how the day had gone.
In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, John C. Guenveur Jr.; her son, John C. Guenveur III, sister, Miriam Swayze; and brother, William Swayze III. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Guenveur of Virginia Beach, Va.; son, Bill Guenveur and wife Mary of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter, Meredith Guenveur of Austin, Texas; nephews, Bruce and David Swayze; and niece, Patricia Ball.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 301 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, or a charity of choice.
