Jean Hunton

Jean Antoinette Peachey Hunton, 82, of Cheyenne, died on January 23, 2011 at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center after a courageous struggle with recurring breast cancer. A 50-year resident of Cheyenne, she was a devoted and loving wife, a wonderful mother, and a doting grandmother. She was warm, outgoing, and creative. She lived her life fully and joyfully and will live on in the loving memories of her family and friends. Jean was born on September 8, 1928, in Allentown, Penn. She was the oldest daughter of George E. and Hazel Mott Peachey. After graduating from Skidmore College in 1950, she attended graduate school at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio, and received a Master of Medical Social Work degree in 1952. While working as a social worker at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N. Y., she met Donald B. Hunton. The two were married on June 14, 1954, the day after Dr. Hunton received his Doctor of Medicine degree. The couple had two children, Donald and Janice, and lived briefly at Warren AFB in Cheyenne, in Rochester, N. Y., and Rochester, Minn., in their early married lives. Jean moved to Cheyenne with her family in 1961. Although an easterner by birth, she quickly came to love the landscape and people of Wyoming. She was a stay-at-home mom while her son and daughter were going through the Cheyenne school system. After her children went off to college, she launched into the dozens of different creative projects that became her hallmark. She learned how to throw pottery and made many bowls, plates, and goblets. She had a talent for watercolor painting and loved capturing the changing colors of the aspens. She loved sewing and was an expert quilter who created both traditional and picture quilts showing scenes from her childhood. She leaves behind a creative legacy that her husband, children, grandchildren and many friends will treasure for years. Jean was an active member of PEO Chapter AD for more than four decades. An avid reader, she was a happy member of the PEO book discussion club. She was also a co-founder of the Blue Stockings, a women’s literary society in Cheyenne. Jean worked at the Wyoming State Legislature for 18 years starting in the late 1970’s. She prepared copies of bills for distribution to the legislators, and later monitored and recorded the progress of each bill. Jean and Don traveled the world with friends and family members. They toured Europe by car, visited every continent except Antarctica during their many cruises, and loved driving across the country to visit their children. Jean is survived by her husband of 56 years, Donald B. Hunton; her son Don (Nancy) of Acton, Mass.; her daughter Jan (Betsy Peregoy) of Minneapolis, Minn.; her grandsons Daniel and Emerson; and her sister Inger Fisher of Bethlehem, Penn. Cremation will take place under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home. Interment will be private. A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Cheyenne. A reception will be held immediately after the service at the Hunton residence, 2863 Deming Blvd., Cheyenne. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation for cancer treatment, or the University of Wyoming Foundation for the Jean Hunton Fund. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.schraderfuneral.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home, Cheyenne.