Jean Anna Palmer Hitchens, age 97, passed away on July 8, 2024. Born in Wilmington, Delaware on February 24, 1927. She was the daughter of the late Clarence and Lona (Fuhr) Palmer.
She graduated from P.S. du Pont High School in January 1945, continued her education at Goldey College, and worked as an executive secretary for twenty five years.
Her first marriage to Joseph H. Sherkey blessed them with their son, William Howard Sherkey. Her marriage to William R. Hitchens, Jr. brought stepsons, Dick, Scott and David to her life.
A member of Asbury United Methodist Church for seventy-one years, she served on a number of committees and projects to support its missions. Her greatest love was spending time with her family and enjoyed any and all occasions for gathering together. She liked music, cooking, baking (her blue-ribbon apple pie), dining out, and traveling. She especially enjoyed vacationing in Rehoboth and other local beaches. In 1965, Jean began corresponding with a woman in Australia. It was the start of an amazing pen pal journey that would last fifty-nine years. A vacation dream was realized in 1998 when she and Bill were fortunate to spend six weeks visiting them in Australia.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, her son William Howard and her stepson Dick.
Jean is survived by daughter-in-law, Carol (Chynoweth) Sherkey; stepsons Scott Hitchens and David Hitchens (Shirley); grandchildren, Eric Sherkey (Erica), Bryan Sherkey (Chelsey), Megan Russell (James), Heather Hitchens, Faith Hitchens, Krista Hitchens, and Kyle Hitchens: great grandchildren, Ethan (Alanna), Emma, Harper, Carter, Maeve, Ella, Sadie, Nicholas, Kadin, and Nathaniel; and one great-great grandchild, Aria; numerous relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington on Wednesday, July 17 from 10 to 11 AM with a service beginning at 11. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, New Castle, Delaware 19720 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 200 Continental Drive, #115, Newark, Delaware 19713.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
