Jean Elizabeth Busch

After several months of declining health, Jean Busch (nee Krause) died peacefully at about 4:00 a.m. on Friday, April 7, just shy of her 96th birthday. Her daughter Betty Ann Winters was with her when she passed. Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Carlton Henry Busch, who passed in 2007.

Born in Wantagh, N.Y., Jean was the daughter of the late Rudolph Walter Krause and Meta Elizabeth Schroeder. Although over the course of her life she lived in several states, including most recently North Carolina, Jean always considered herself a “Long Island Girl,” which is where she was born, grew up, was married, and raised her four children. Prior to marrying Carlton, Jean graduated from Mepham High School in Bellmore, N.Y., and then attended the Bushwick Hospital Nurses Training School in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Jean was the ultimate people-person. She befriended everyone…neighbors, the mail carrier, the supermarket checker, the guy in the produce department…anyone, anywhere. She had a special love of children and they all flocked to her. When her own children were grown and out of the house, she kept in touch with her friends’ and neighbors’ children via phone, card, and email (yes, she used email on her iPad into her 90s!). She never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She liked to cook and would often share food (especially sweets, which she loved) with family, friends, and neighbors. Jean was a nurturer; she took care of people, and when she was no longer able to do that, she took care of her houseplants and the birds outside her window. She liked to play Rummy with her daughters and grandchildren, and she usually won. And speaking of that iPad…Jean had an inquisitive mind and liked to use Google to look up things she wondered about.

Jean was an amazing, strong, independent, and caring woman. Her passing has left a great hole in the hearts of her family and friends, and she will be missed terribly.

Jean is survived by daughters Karla Busch and Betty Ann Winters, both of Morganton, N.C., sons John Busch of Cortland, N.Y., and Curtis Busch of Jeffersonville, Pa.; granddaughters Erika Busch of Ithaca, N.Y., Megan Schultz of Charlotte, N.C., Rachel Bevins of Cortland, N.Y., and grandsons William Wernicke of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Brian Busch of Mont Clare, Pa.

She is also survived by loved ones Beatrice Gnirs, mother of Erika and Rachel; Daniel Winters, husband of Betty Ann; Edward Gildea, husband of Karla; Susan Busch, wife of Curtis; and Katie Keyser, wife of John.

Also grieving Jean’s loss are her grandchildren’s spouses Nicholas Wood, Avi Schultz, and Gregory Bevins.

A private graveside memorial gathering is planned for some time in the late spring in Virgil, N.Y., at which time Carlton Busch will also be buried and reunited with the love of his life.

Memorial donations in Jean’s honor may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.