Jean (Scales) Mencer, 93, of Mystic, passed away peacefully with her family members nearby, Monday, December 31, 2012.
Jean was born November 13, 1919, in Beechmont, Massachusetts. She was the younger daughter of William Olin Scales and Maude Cloudman Scales. She was predeceased by her sister, Natalie Scales Biscornet, of Nashua, NH. Jean was raised in Concord, New Hampshire, but her family often spent summers in the Mystic area.
An accomplished pianist, Jean attended the Women’s College at Yale University, where she studied piano performance. She continued her education, earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education from Boston University. Jean began a career in social work in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she met her husband of 50 years, Clifford L. Mencer, who predeceased her.
The Mencer family relocated to Mystic in 1952, where they raised their two children, Mary and William. As a communicant of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mystic, Jean oversaw the children’s education program for many years. A lover of reading, Jean decided to pursue a second Master’s degree in Library Science, from the University of Rhode Island. She served as a Media Specialist in the Town of Groton at Pleasant Valley School and the former Mystic Academy, but spent most of her career at The SB Butler School. She retired in 1985. Naturally curious, she appreciated the many traveling opportunities taken with her family, both here and abroad. One of her favorite post-retirement activities included seeing the country through the window of the family’s RV.
Jean is survived by her son William Mencer and his wife, Michelle, of Mystic; her daughter, Mary Mencer of Groton; as well as eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Wednesday, January 9th at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Fairview/Oddfellows’ Home, 243 Lestertown Road, Groton, CT 06340 or to VNA of Southeastern Connecticut, 403 N. Frontage Road, Waterford, CT 06385.
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