Jean D. Gruwell, music, French teacher

Jean D. Gruwell, 91, of Dover, passed away, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Chesterfield, Va.

Mrs. Gruwell was born April 19, 1923, in Milford to the late Wilmer T. Derickson and Jesse Young Derickson. She spent her life in Dover and summers in Bethany Beach and later in life part time in Florida. Mrs. Gruwell graduated from Dover High School and then attended Southern Seminary Junior College in Buena Vista, Va. During that time she married her high school sweetheart Hudson Gruwell, before he enlisted in the service.

She was a homemaker, and had directed the youth and high school choirs for 25 years at People's Church in Dover. Mrs. Gruwell was a soloist in many churches, and performed in concerts and musicals throughout Delaware.

In the meantime she returned to school at the University of Delaware and Wesley College in order to perfect her skills in music and French. She had taught music and French at the Dover Little School, Country Day School, Dover Montessori School, and also taught conversational French for the University of Delaware’s Life Long Learning Academy, as well as teaching music, voice and French privately. Mrs. Gruwell was a member of the Delaware Human Relations Committee, charter member of the Junior Board and the Dover Historical Society. She was also a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and Wesley Branches, and board member of the Kent County SPCA.

Mrs. Gruwell had chaired the SPCA education committee and developed an educational program for them called Be Kind to Animals. Education, music, opera, ballet and politics were very important in her life. She enjoyed golf, reading, history and many outdoor activities. Mrs. Gruwell was very proud of the National Register of Historic Places home Wheel of Fortune that she and her beloved husband had restored and lived in for 41 years.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Hudson E. Gruwell in 2001; and her daughter, Sandra G. Keller in 1998.

She is survived by her son, Robert H. Gruwell and his wife Randa of Clearwater, Fla.; son-in-law, George Keller and his wife Susie Stehle-Keller of Dover; grandchildren, Hudson M. Keller and his wife Tracey of Lewes, Leah D. Mills and her husband Thomas of Richmond, Va., Sean Gruwell and his wife Amanda of Port Richey, Fla., Shanna Fiordilino and her husband Rudy of Port Richey; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford St., Dover. Friends may call one hour prior. Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to Kent County SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934.

Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.