Obituary: Jean Bunks Ashton, 91, Former New Canaan Resident

The following obituary of Jean Bunks Ashton, 91, is from her family:

Jean Bunks Ashton, 91, died peacefully on April 19, 2020.

Jean was born in 1928 in Appleton, Wisconsin to Arthur Bunks and Esther Struck. She attended
Lawrence College, then moved to New York City, where she received her Master’s Degree at
Teachers College, Columbia University in 1954.

Jean lived most of her adult life in Darien and New Canaan, Connecticut, while enjoying
frequent trips into New York City to engage her passion for live theatre and music. She also had
a love for holistic health, dance and yoga.

Jean was a gifted teacher of music to grade school students and also a church choir director.
She was a devoted mother and active in supporting the arts in the town of Darien for many
years. Later in life, Jean found great satisfaction from teaching English to immigrant families.

Jean is remembered for her zest for life, work-ethic, perseverance and wonderful sense of
humor.

Jean is survived by her children Sara, Tim, Martha, James and by two grandsons, Timothy and
Christopher, from her former marriage to the late John Felton Ashton. Jean is also survived by
her niece and nephew, Stacia and William, children of Jean’s sister, the late Emmy Bunks
Gallaher.

The world has lost an amazing woman, yet Jean will live on in our hearts forever.

A private family service will be held.

In honor of Jean’s love for the theatre, donations in her name can be made to Broadway Cares
Covid-19 Emergency Fund (Broadwaycares.org), that directly supports entertainment
professionals through emergency assistance, health insurance and counseling related to
challenges brought on by the pandemic.