Montclair Obituary: Jeanne Walker, Jazz House Kids Booster

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair recently bid a sad farewell to a familiar face in its arts community: Jeanne Eugenia Marani Walker.

Walker, the mother of Jazz House Kids founder Melissa Walker, passed away on Easter Sunday at her home in the loving presence of her family, according to the Montclair-based nonprofit.

Jazz House Kids released a statement about Walker’s passing:

“As anyone who has been part of the Jazz House Kids family knows, Jeanne has been a fixture and a force in the Jazz House. One of Melissa's first champions, Jeanne has been a constant, tireless supporter and an inspiration to the students, the faculty and staff, the music and the beautiful artistic, learning community that has become Jazz House Kids. Jeanne liked nothing more than being front and center for a concert, jam, master class, emerging artists performance, Body and Soul, Be-Bop-a-Cue, Inside the Jazz Note, and especially the Montclair Jazz Festival. If there were a Jazz House Kids event to attend, Jeanne was always there, smiling and encouraging the artists, and tapping her hand or foot to the beat.”

A viewing will be held from noon to 12:50 p.m. on Saturday, April 7 at The Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair (53 Norwood Avenue, Montclair), followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m.

Walker will be interred in South Haven, Michigan alongside her husband.

“We mourn her loss, and share in the sorrow of her family - her three daughters Andrea, Leslie and Melissa, their spouses Emmanuel, Theodore and Christian, and her three grandchildren Nkem, Amara and Eugenia,” Jazz House Kids stated.

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Walker’s obituary follows below, via the Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home:

"Dr. Jeanne Eugenia Marani Walker, an educator, counselor and psychologist passed away on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 in the loving environment of her home in Montclair, New Jersey.

"Jeanne's life was one of grace, courage and kindness. A lifelong learner, Jeanne was an avid traveler and voracious reader. Her passion for art, music and culture led her to embrace and celebrate people -- without boundaries, judgment or barriers. An extraordinary woman with a vibrant zest for life, she brought joy into the lives of many; she accepted people where they were and as they were.

"Born on October 25, 1934 in Astoria, Queens, Jeanne was the daughter of Mario and Suzie Marani who came to the United States by way of Ellis Island.

"Jeanne enrolled in the University of Michigan in 1952 where she met her husband, Arthur Dewitt Walker, Jr. After graduation, they relocated to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where Art played professional football, winning two Grey Cups for the Edmonton Eskimos, and they raised their three daughters, Andrea, Leslie, and Melissa. Following Art’s football career, they both taught in the Edmonton Public School system for seven years before leaving Canada to obtain their master’s and doctorate degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Illinois in 1965 and 1970, respectively.

"Jeanne and Art accepted teaching positions at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, where they lived until Art passed away in 1973. Jeanne then returned to Edmonton where she led a distinguished career as a high school educator and counselor. Jeanne retired in 1990 and moved to Sidney, British Columbia. Jeanne was a member of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in North Saanich, British Columbia.

"Jeanne leaves to appreciate her memory her three daughters, Andrea Walker-Modu (Emmanuel), Leslie Dixon (Theodore) and Melissa Walker-McBride (Christian) and her three grandchildren, Nkem Modu, Amara Modu and Eugenia Naamon. She is survived by her brother, Robert Marani; her sister, Anne Plescia; her sister-in-law, Dr. Retia Walker and her niece, JaRee Walker. Jeanne’s extended family, Millie, Akosua and Samantha, her long-time friends, the Wilson family, as well as all of her Canadian friends, carry her memory forward.

"A viewing will be held from 12:00 pm to 12:50 pm on Saturday, April 7th at The Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair (53 Norwood Avenue, Montclair), followed by the funeral service at 1:00 pm. Jeanne will be interred in South Haven, Michigan alongside her husband, who loved her dearly.

"Given Jeanne’s passion for education and music, the family invites contributions in lieu of flowers and in Jeanne’s memory, to the Arthur Walker Memorial Scholarship (www.nmu.edu) or Jazz House Kids (www.jazzhousekids.org)."

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Photo: Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home