Margaret Stanford

Margaret "Jean" Stanford, age 92 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at her home with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Mrs. Stanford was born October 5, 1919, in Alma, Michigan, the daughter of Harry F. and Dorothy M. Watson Farrell. She attended schools in Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Biology from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. She taught for two years in Grosse Ile Public Schools and for three years in Ann Arbor Public Schools. In 1943, she married Jack A. Stanford of Jefferson City. They met in graduate school in Michigan. Upon settling back in Missouri, Jean joined the Jefferson City Junior College staff as a zoology and botany instructor for five years. While raising two children, she was co-owner and realtor for Stanford Realty for three years. Jean then went back to teaching biology and algebra at Jefferson City Senior High School until 1981. During these years, she also served as statistician for her husband Jack's groundbreaking bobwhite quail research with the Missouri Department of Conservation. In her 34 years of teaching, Jean received the Conservation Federation of Missouri's Conservation Education Award (1974), the Science Teachers of Missouri's Science Educator Award (1977), and the Jefferson City Community Teachers Association's Outstanding Teacher Award (1981). Many Jefferson City physicians, of whom she was so proud, are her former Human Anatomy and Physiology students. Also, Jim Low, a writer for the Missouri Conservationist Magazine was among her favorite students. Over the years, Jean served as president of the American Association of University Women and, later, as chairman of the Status of Women Committee, she organized the Jefferson City Women of Achievement awards for several years. Jean served as a director of the Red Cross swimming program and was a parent president of the Jefferson City Swim Team. She was the first lifeguard at Memorial Pool. In 1975, Jean helped organize and was the first president of the River Bluffs Audubon Society, and in 2004, received the local chapter's Outstanding Achievement Award. Jean belonged to the First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a trustee and as a Sunday school superintendent. She was a member of the Calvin Class. After retiring in 1981, Jean served five and a half years as the public member of the Missouri State Pharmacy Board. She also helped with the Jefferson City (ABLE) Adult Basic Literacy Education and Adult Basic Education programs. Her many memberships in environmental organizations included the Missouri Prairie Foundation, the River Bluffs Audubon Society, the Population Institute, Planned Parenthood, the Population Connection, the League of Conservation Voters and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Other affiliations included Learning in Retirement, the University of Michigan Alumni, Cole County Retired Teachers, Cole County Historical Society, Contemporary Literature Club, the Environmental Quality Commission (1991 - 1995), the Jefferson City Lewis and Clark Task Force, five bridge clubs and the Classy Red Hatters. Dancing, bridge, turkey and deer hunting, birding, book club, investment club and summers in northern Michigan were among her favorite activities. Jean's husband, Jack, preceded her in death in 1995. In 1999, she published his book, "Whirring Wings II", representing 35 years of quail research with the Missouri Department of Conservation. She leaves one daughter, Susie Stanford-Shultz, (her biggest fan and caretaker for three years) and Susie's loving husband, Tom, who helped and supported Susie's efforts for the past three years. Susie and Tom are from Jefferson City. She also leaves one son, James F. Stanford, and wife, Carol, both physicians, of Fairway, Kansas, and two grandsons, Ian and Graeme Stanford, also of Fairway, Kansas. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 until 6:00 pm Friday, May 25, 2012. Upon Jean's wishes, her remains went to the Department of Anatomy of the University of Missouri at Columbia School of Medicine for study. She's still teaching!! In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions are suggested to the "River Bluffs Audubon Society" for a memorial bench on the Katy Trail near Jefferson City, or on the walking trail on Edgewood. Contributions can also be made to "SSM Hospice", who are angels on earth. These memorials may be sent to: Jean Stanford's Family c/o Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary and condolences may be left for the family online at the funeral home website. www.freemanmortuary.com