Jean B. Rohrer, 87, of Hershey, passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022. She died peacefully in her sleep. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Dr. George Victor “Vic” Rohrer.
The fourth child of Scottish immigrants, Jean was born in Henrietta, Oklahoma, on January 15, 1935, the daughter of the late James and Christine (Guthrie) Blair, originally both from the Glasgow area. Her brothers were Gavin (Guy), Robert (Bobby), and James (Jimmy) Blair. She is survived by her loving sister Christine (Blair) Jones, of Raytown, MO.
Jean grew up in Henrietta, the daughter of her coalminer father and homemaker mother. She graduated from Henrietta High School and proudly wore her high school ring, even into her later years. As a young girl and woman, she was an accomplished artist and loved to draw portraits and still lifes in pencil and chalk.
She met her husband Vic when they both were attending Oklahoma State University in the mid-1950s. They married in 1956. After graduation, they started their family in 1958 and raised their four children in Oklahoma City until relocating to central Pennsylvania in 1971, when Vic was recruited to the Department of Radiology at the newly opened Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
As avid animal lovers, our parents imparted this love to each of us. Our mother kept a meticulously detailed list of all the family pets. There was a total of 33 different pets, including horses, ponies, dogs, cats, three white mice, and a Cecropia moth named Michael. She was especially fond of cats – strays or otherwise – and had 15 felines throughout the years, the last being her beloved tuxedo female, Fifi.
After the children were out of the house, Jean went back to school at Penn State Harrisburg and got her bachelors in Political Science. She was always interested in local and national politics and participated in Lebanon County campaigns and committees, as well as with the League of Women Voters.
In 1996, our mother planned, organized, and booked a family trip to her ancestral home in Scotland. We stayed on a huge old estate with curved stone staircases, music rooms with instruments and tall high ceilings, a dining room with the longest table we had ever seen, and a cozy kitchen that became the center of socializing. All her living siblings, their spouses, as well as our entire immediate family, gathered and had a very memorable time exploring the gorgeous terrain.
Surviving is her four children, Laura Charelian, wife of Michael of Annville, Elizabeth Rohrer of Grantville, Todd Rohrer, husband of Loretta of Harrisburg, Jon Rohrer, husband of Kathryn Gordon of Camp Hill. Her four grandchildren include Samantha Blair Charelian, Claire Rohrer, Sagan Rohrer, and Cory Coolidge. The most recent addition to the family, Samantha’s boyfriend of 3 ½ years, Peter, has been such a joy and a comfort to us at this time, with his strength and shared love for our mother, Jean.
A great cook, we will never forget all the countless meals our mother made over the years, especially her Scottish spare ribs and our Dad’s favorite apple pie. Mom loved bird watching and horticulture and always felt that family was number one, and we feel the same way about her. We will miss her more than words can say.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Special thanks to Spang Crest of Lebanon for their support, professionalism, and care. Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, Annville, is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, our mother would say the best way to honor her would be to get out and vote in every election!
