Jean Wagner
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Of your mercy, please pray for the repose of the soul of
Jean Mozelle Kitzmiller Wagner
January 29, 1921–April 11, 2023
A funeral for Jean Wagner will be offered at 3:00pm on Saturday, October 14, with a reception to follow in the Murphey Gallery.
All are invited to gather to remember Jean before God, with thanks for her life and many years of faithful ministry in this parish. All are welcome to attend and asked of their mercy to pray for the repose of her soul. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
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Jean Kitzmiller Wagner passed away peacefully in Tucson, AZ on April 11, 2023 at the age of 102. She was born on January 29, 1921 in Indianapolis, IN, the first of 4 children of Carl R. and Maurine (Stubbs) York: sister Nancy M. (York) Strayer (Roger, dec) and 2 brothers, Charles R. York (Marjorie, dec) and Richard D. York (Carol, dec). Only Nancy still survives.
Jean graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis in 1938 and then from Steven's College in Columbia, MO in 1940 (a 2 year college at the time). She married William J. (Bill) Kitzmiller, also a Shortridge graduate and an ensign in the US Navy, on January 8, 1940. Jean and Bill had 6 children over 18 years.
Bill became a pilot for United Airlines after leaving the Navy and they lived in Illinois, New Hampshire, Long Island, NY, and Connecticut before retiring to Tucson, AZ in 1982 where Bill passed away in 1984. Seven years later, Jean married Miles C. Wagner of Tucson on June 23, 1991 (no children). He died in September 2009 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery because of his service as a glider pilot in WWII.
Jean is survived by 2 daughters and 4 sons: Nancy (Kitzmiller) Braun b. 1942 (Clait), Wm. Daniel Kitzmiller b. 1943 (Suzie; Dee), David E. Kitzmiller b. 1947 (Debbie), Sally (Kitzmiller) Secrist/Johnson b. 1949, John R. Kitzmiller b. 1956 (Tamar dec; Pat) and Captain James P. Kitzmiller, USN (Ret) b. 1960 (Amanda; Mary). There are 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren to date.
Jean showed hunter and jumper horses until college and then showed gaited horses. She took up golf with her first husband and tennis with the second (at age 68). She took ballet classes in Chicago, Boston and New York and taught ballet in Illinois (Connie Egge Studio), New Hampshire (in her home) and on Long Island, NY (Andre Eglevsky Studio). Jean was always a supporter of dance and served on the University of Arizona School of Dance Board in Tucson, helping to bring the Steve Eller Dance Theater into reality. Other interests were bridge, knitting (including dresses and coats!), piano, yoga (which she taught) and pilates.
Jean was a docent at Tohono Chul Park and a long time member of Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church where she served on the Alter Guild and with the Church Mice. She supported St Albans Episcopal Church as well. Jean also volunteered with Literacy Connects in Tucson and was a lifetime member of Skyline Country Club. She was a longtime patron of the Arizona Theater Company and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.
Jean easily made friends and kept them "forever." She was an inspiration to her children and grandchildren as she embraced all new technologies as best she could. Her curiosity, wit, love of reading, and energy were boundless. She really cared about people and people cared about her. Jean's name, birth and death years are being engraved on a wall block in the Columbarium at Saint Philip’s Church between those for Bill and Miles. Her cremains will join Bill's in the Catalina Mountains and celebrations of her life will occur here and back East next fall: njkb12@gmail.com for information.
Kudos to the caregivers and staff at Tucson Place on N Kolb Road and to Traditions Health Hospice Care for her end of life comfort. Consider making a donation in memory of Jean to the UA School of Dance (520-621-2911 for help) or to a charity of your choice as Jean always tried to help those less fortunate.