Jean Bryant

Jean Bryant, my best friend, my buddy, my rock, my everything was born April 4, 1947, in Vallejo, California to Dean W Bryant and Marie C Satterlee. She was a true “California Girl” living in South San Francisco, San Francisco, San Bruno, and in the end La Habra. The only time she did not live in California was in 1967 when this brave woman moved to a kibbutz in Israel to fight in the Six-Day War. When she was not fighting in the war, Jean spent her time teaching sports to children.

One of Jean’s heroes was Martin Luther King Jr. MLK had a dream and so did Jean. She lived it to the fullest with zest, happiness, courage, strength, and adventure. When MLK was assassinated, Jean was in Israel struggling to celebrate her 21st birthday. Lastly, when Jean left us for heaven it was on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Jean would do anything for excitement in her life. When she was young, she dared her brother to jump off the 30-foot-high dive at Fleishhacker Pool. Her brother backed out, but not Jean. In her youth, she even climbed an electric tower—on a dare!

She learned how to snowboard in her fifties, soaring smoothly down the mountain all the while keeping pace with her friends who skied. After skiing or snowboarding all day in Big Bear, she would plunge 30 feet on a bungee jump. She couldn’t resist swinging back and forth as long as possible. So excited she went again, that time plunging backward off the platform.

On her 50th birthday, Jean jumped out of a plane with that lasting smile on her face. She did not stop there. She ran every morning for 6 months with a newspaper in her hand preparing for her run with the actual Olympic Torch in Irvine, California. It was one of her proudest moments.

As a member of CSUF OLLI, Jean had many friends. She was Vice President of Hospitality. She loved helping the committee succeed in the many events it sponsored.

Although Jean did perceive herself as unlearned, she was street smart. She was able to convince a manager at Cenveo to hire her. She told the manager if she did not make the cut in one week, he could keep her check and she would leave. She began as a warehouse “man”, at a time when women were not allowed in the warehouse. Through the years she advanced in the company to become an ink technician, making ink for all the printing presses. For 39 years she was the manager’s best “MAN”. She was even the shop steward and spent many late nights working on a better contract for the employees.

I first met Jean at a volleyball class at the College of San Mateo. She was late to the class, and arrived bantering with the teacher. The other class members initially maintained a distance from Jean, but she and I drilled together and spoke after class. Although I was initially resistant, Jean talked her way into being my best friend. That friendship lasted for 56 years.

Jean is survived by her brother Richard D Bryant of Auburn, WA, nieces Tiffany C Bryant of Auburn, WA and Kathleen P Bryant of Honolulu, HI. Jean’s cousins are Candice Satterlee, Kevin Satterlee, Jennifer Welker, Jean Nelson, Robbie Cole, and Marie Ann Perrault. She is also survived by numerous friends and me, her “best bud”, Marie Stiegler.

Jean loved life and never gave up the fight to live, even in the end during her bout with cancer. Through the turmoil of cancer, she continued to be her best friend’s rock.

Jean will always be with me in my heart, my mind, and with me through my ups and downs. Even though she is not present, she really is. I love her and will miss her until we meet again in the everlasting happiness in heaven.

Rest in peace, Jean. We will all miss you.

A Celebration of Life for Jean will be held at:

CSUF Arboretum, Bacon Pavillion 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, CA

Date: April 06, 2024

Time: 12:00pm - 3:00pm

RSVP as soon as possible for estimating price for caterer: [email protected]

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. http://www.museumoftolerance.com