Jean Oliver Koch passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on January 14, 2021. An avid skier, tennis player, singer and gardener, she treasured her family, friends and her beloved pets.
Her full life began to shrink in the last decade, as it became clear she was struggling with Alzheimer’s disease.
Jean was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, to Hedwig and Frank Oliver, who were avid hikers. Gifted in ballet, she danced the lead role in her school’s rendition of “Swan Lake” and later studied in New York City. Her grace was evident on the ski slopes and tennis courts. She decided early on not to marry a hiker. After receiving a bachelor’s in education from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland she married Joseph Koch, a fun-loving, spirited man, on December 26, 1959. They settled in North Haledon, NJ, where their son, Steven and daughter Susan were born; they moved to Franklin Lakes in 1965, where Jenny was born. From there, the family trekked almost every winter weekend to their favorite ski area, Mad River Glen.
In 1975, they moved to South Burlington, VT, and two years later to Fort Wayne, IN, before settling into their beloved home in Fayston, VT, in 1989. In each place, she made a comfortable home and excelled in learning all the roads and shortcuts in town.
Jean was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Church, the Mountain Gardeners, the Mad River Chorale, the Fayston Historical Society and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Valley Food Shelf. She managed the Mad River tennis courts and worked short stints as a school teacher, realtor, bank teller and on the Mad River ski patrol.
She is survived by her children, Steve Koch of Brandon, VT, Susan Koch (aka Nema Nyar) of Honesdale, PA, Jennifer Koch and her husband, Gregg Blasdel of Burlington, VT, her brother Paul Oliver and his wife Audrey of Portland, OR, and her dedicated caregivers Carol Bourque, Jessica Blais, Danielle Hampton, Karen Campbell, Jacci Van Alder, Tina White and Tracy Flint, among others. She is predeceased by her husband Joseph Koch, her brother Peter Oliver, and her many cherished cats and dogs.
A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of the Snows when it is safe to gather. Contributions can be made to the local humane society in lieu of flowers.
