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Jeanne C. Hufnagel - Obituary
Clarion News - Tuesday, December 12, 2011
Jeanne Hufnagel, 89, died Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Laurelbrooke Landing in
Brookville, PA. Her health had been failing for a number of years. The oldest daughter
of Antoinette Roi and Angus Edward Cousins, Jeanne was born August 8, 1922 in Woonsocket,
RI. She grew up in Wayne, PA along with her brothers and sisters: Roy Cousins, Salina
Mecke, June McNichol, Rita Rogers, Francois Cousins and Sandra Robinette.
Jeanne graduated from nearby Immaculata College with a degree in Home Economics in 1943. Her roommate during college was Betty Hufnagel, who one summer invited Jeanne to visit her home in Clarion. It was during that visit that Jeanne first grew to love the town, and ever after said she always felt like she was on vacation when in Clarion. Perhaps part of the attraction was her roommate's older brother, Leon Hufnagel, a young architectural engineer, whom she married on April 15, 1944. The happy union lasted 55 years and produced six children, all of whom survive: Hank (Mike) Hufnagel lives in Clarion; Lee (Clem) Hufnagel in Charlottesville, VA; Ellen Hufnagel Long in Englewood FL; Kate (Barbara) Hufnagel in Red Lion, PA; Dave Hufnagel in Clarion; and Molly Westmoreland who resides in Forest Grove, OR.
During the early years of her marriage, Jeanne was hip-deep in kids and the duties of a homemaker. Her other interests included playing bridge and golf, socializing with friends at Pinecrest Country Club and her art… she had a lifelong interest in painting. Even today some of her works are on display in the CUP library building; most however are in private collections, many in the local area. Jeanne was an enthusiastic member and supporter of the Bi-County Artists Association and later a founding member of the Clarion County Arts Council.
As her children grew, Jeanne became more active in the community. She helped organize and for many years managed the cafeteria at Immaculate Conception School. She was a partner in Fabrics, etc., a shop at Third and Main Streets in Clarion.
The Hufnagels were extremely active in the formation and early development of the Autumn Leaf Festival, where for many years Jeanne could be found adding to the excitement of the day by serving as a quick sketch artist. She later received a special award from the Clarion Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her many years of enthusiastic involvement with the festival and with the business life of the community.
In her later years, Jeanne enrolled at Clarion University, where at the age of 70 she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She was also an avid reader, and a lover and writer of poetry. In addition, both Jeanne and Lee enjoyed traveling and new adventures, including rafting down the Snake and Salmon rivers in Idaho, cruising to Alaska, and hiking in the Olympic and Cascade Mountains in search of wildflowers to photograph and paint. Their travels also took them to Mexico, Canada, and many of the countries of Europe, Asia and Africa.
In the mid-1990s, the couple moved to Indiana PA, where Lee died in 1999. Afterward, Jeanne returned to Clarion to spend a few years in an apartment before moving to Highland Oaks in Shippenville PA. In 2009 she moved again, this time to Laurelbrooke Landing.
Wherever she was, whatever she was doing, Jeanne was always much loved by those who knew her and enjoyed frequent visits with her sons and daughters, her 9 grandchildren, and her many friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Jeanne was a long-time supporter of Clarion Free Library and wished that donations be made to that organization in lieu of flowers.
Old News of Clarion County