Jean W. Grove

Jean Wilkins Grove, 94, passed away surrounded by the love of her family, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Westfield, NJ on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Friends and family knew her as "Snik", a nickname given to her by her high school friends and proudly displayed on the license plate of her treasured yellow convertible. Snik was born on April 17, 1928 in Erie, PA to Carl and Marjorie (Evans) Wilkins . She had a very special relationship with her brother John and sister in law Gene and dearly loved her nieces, nephews and their families. Many close friends enriched her life. In 1952 Snik married George W Grove, whom she met while both were students at Grove City College in PA. Snik was the proud Mom of Debbie Knapp (Steve) of Sarasota, FL, Nancy Walfish (John) of Royersford, PA, Barbara Partenope (Ed) of Lavallette, NJ and Susan Evans (Peter Grabow) of Jersey City, NJ. She was a doting Grandma to Jack (Mandy) Walfish, Danielle (Brian) Plagge, Kyle (Laura) Knapp, Julia Partenope, Nick Partenope, Jesse Evans and Reid Evans and a super Gigi to Olivia, Willa and Asher Walfish, Oliver and Abby Plagge and Eva Knapp.

After completing the Pastoral Studies Program at Blanton Peale Graduate Institute she became the Assistant to the Minister at Cranford United Methodist Church. As such she fulfilled the important role of visitation to those in need. She spent her life serving others as a Stephen's Minister and by delivering Mobile meals, providing food and distributing clothes to the homeless. She was a member of the Church Women United where she received the "Valiant Woman" award for her exemplary volunteerism.

Snik lived an active life jogging, playing tennis and at the beach (where she never went in the water far enough to get her watch wet).

She loved to explore the world having lived in Jamaica, South America and Poland. Always curious and willing to learn, she loved engaging with people everywhere.

Music was a big part of her life. She enjoyed playing the piano well into her 80s and loved listening to all kinds of music from reggae to the New Jersey Symphony.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 1 pm at the Cranford United Methodist Church. A reception will be held at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial donations to be made in memory of Jean Grove to
Cranford United Methodist Church (cranfordumc.com/-giving) or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (www2.jdrf.org).