Jean Louise Lowenberg McNett died Friday, October 17, 2008, at the age of 93, surrounded by her family and friends who loved her dearly and who will miss her sweet smile and lovely sense of humor. 

Jean was born January 3, 1915 in Ottumwa Iowa to the late Christian and Vera Lowenberg.  She loved to tell stories of her happy and adventuresome childhood. She went east to attend Dana Hall School for Women where she graduated with honors before attending Wellesley College where she majored in Art History.  While at Wellesley she married her kindergarten and high school sweetheart, Wesley Garner “Dutch” McNett.

                After a brief stay in Cambridge, Jean and Dutch moved to Braintree, Massachusetts where they raised their family.  Like their parents, they provided a secure and loving environment for their three children, made new friends and nurtured old relationships. After 52 years and with their children dispersed across the country, Jean and Dutch moved to Asheville in 1986 to be near their daughter and her family-it renewed their lives.  They enjoyed this new life together for 8 years before Dutch passed away in 1993.  Jean continued to grow, learn and make new friends. Her interests were broad and varied. She loved reading, painting, mah-jong, the Red Sox and was a great fan of Richard Gere. Her passion was her husband and her family.

                In 2001, Jean moved to Deerfield Retirement Community in Asheville.  Jean and Deerfield provided a welcoming destination for family and friends as they came to visit her over the years.  She said many times she could not imagine living anywhere else but Deerfield.

                Jean leaves behind her children and their spouses whom she loved so much; Susan and Richard Walton of Asheville, NC; Louise and Garner McNett of Dallas, TX; and Boon and Jim McNett of Bainbridge Island, WA.  She is survived by nine grandchildren: Laurie Walton of Fairbanks, AK;  Elinor Bridges of Fairview, NC; Marion Lent of Naples, NY;  Richard Walton II of Asheville, NC;  Robert Walton of Ft Collins, CO; Diane Walton of Asheville, NC; Sarah Kenaga of San Antonio, TX; Paul McNett of Scottsdale, AZ and Maia McNett of Bainbridge Island, WA; fifteen great-grandchildren: Jesse, Lily, Eric, Jedediah, Garrett, Esther, Clara, Elizabeth, Mary, Mark, Caroline, Otis, Colin, Hanna, and Rylen.

The last few weeks of her life were happy days of celebration as all of her children and most of her grandchildren came to Asheville to visit, hug, share stories, and join in the enormous outpouring of love for this wonderful, kind, smart and incredibly sweet woman who always had a smile and kind word for everyone.  She will be missed.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM, Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at St. Giles Chapel at the Deerfield Community.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Deerfield Employee Appreciation Fund, 1617 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803.