Jeanne P. Meiklejohn

Jeanne Meiklejohn Purmort, 89, Journalist, Devoted Mother, and Volunteer Jeanne Purmort Meiklejohn, 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the JFK Haven Hospice in Edison, New Jersey of a stroke. Jeanne was the wife of the late Robert Meiklejohn, the beloved mother of Anne Bussler of Haydenville, Massachusetts, Elizabeth Helming of Collinsville, Connecticut, Robert Meiklejohn III of Scotch Plains, NJ, Penny Birkhofer of Damascus, Oregon, and cousin Deborah Nye of New York City. Jeanne was also Grandma Jeanne to seven grandchildren, Daniel, Sarah, Mathew, Andrew, Jennifer, Scott, and Alexander and one great grandchild McKaylen. She lived in Southwyck Village, Scotch Plains for the last 12 years, but was a long time resident of Westfield, New Jersey. Jeanne was born December 9, 1921 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of George Ely and Tessa Gregory Purmort. She had two brothers, George Jr. and Louis Edward. Jeanne graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1939 and graduated from University of Wisconsin in 1943 as a journalism major. She was an active member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority at the University of Wisconsin. She worked as a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal from 1943 to 1947. During WW II she was a staff reporter in the News Section at the City Desk and then became Society Editor. Jeanne Purmort married Robert Meiklejohn in 1947. They lived in Chicago for a year where Jeanne worked for the Chicago Tribune. In 1948 Bob and Jeanne moved to Westfield, New Jersey to raise their four children. Jeanne was a volunteer at Wilson School, Girl Scouts, Presbyterian Church, the Miller Cory House, the Westfield Historical Society, long time member of the Westfield Service League, and on the Board of the Youth and Family Counseling Service, as well as a member of many various bridge clubs and book clubs. Jeanne was well known for her enthusiastic spirit, special generosity and ever positive outlook on life. The grace she exhibited all her life set an example for those around her. Memorial Services will be held at the Chapel of The Presbyterian Church of Westfield, 140 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, NJ. 07090 on Saturday, May 7 at 11AM. Arrangements are by the Gray Funeral Home of Westfield. In lieu of flowers the family has asked donations to be sent to the Presbyterian Church in memory of Jeanne Meiklejohn.