Jean Magin Howell

Published 9:17 am Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Jean Magin Howell, 87, formerly of Langhorne Manor, Pa., and currently of Tryon Estates Medical Center, Columbus, N.C., died on Wednesday, April 8. She was the daughter of Frank G. Magin and Rose Hendlmyer Magin.  Jean was born in Mantua, N.J., and grew up in Pitman, N.J. living with her beloved Aunt Margaret Clark. At Pitman High School, she accompanied soloists on the piano, and played varsity basketball, field hockey and was on the swim team.

In 1945, Jean entered the Temple University Music Education Department where she sang with the Women’s Chorus and the A Cappella Choir.   It was in choir where she met her husband-to-be, Stan Howell.  She also played varsity basketball as a guard, and was proclaimed one of 20 outstanding seniors at her graduation in May, 1949.

After a year of teaching music at Manasquan, N.J. schools, she came back to Morrisville School District in Pennsylvania where she taught music and English, K–12, for six years.

In 1950, Jean was hired to be the choir director for the Langhorne, Pa. United Methodist Church. She directed 40 singers in 1950. By the time she retired from the position in 1971, she was directing over 200 singers and had added a hand bell choir as well.  She was a guest conductor at the annual Ocean Grove, N.J. Choir Festival and the Northeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Women in Charleston, W.Va. She was also an active Sunday School teacher, member of many committees, and a member of the United Methodist Women.

Jean and Stan began their family in 1957, having three boys, with Jean staying at home to raise them.  Later, she became a long-term substitute for the Neshaminy School District. Jean served as president of the United Methodist Women Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, and was elected for a term of the Langhorne Manor Borough Council.  Upon retirement, she and her husband researched the lives of the U.S. presidents, creating and presenting over 650 Presidential Heritage programs from Connecticut to Florida.

In the Tryon-Columbus area since 1997, Jean and Stan created the annual Columbus, N.C. Tuba Christmas Event, in which Jean conducted the choral singing.  She also conducted the Tryon Presbyterian Church Hand Bell Choir. In Tryon-Estates, Jean directed the Christmas Chorus and coordinated a Music Appreciation Hour.

Over the years, Jean also played percussion instruments in a variety of bands including the Tri-County Band of Feasterville, Pa., the Naples, Fla. Concert Band, the Hendersonville, N.C. Community Band, the Hendersonville, N.C. Swing Band, and the Windjammers Unlimited Circus Band.

Jean’s passion in life was her family.  As a wife, mother, and grandmother, she loved spending time with her family. Her children remember her for their many camping and skiing trips, and her grandchildren remember the many stories she read and the card games they played with her. An avid knitter, she created many sweaters, afghans, and prayer shawls.

Jean is survived by her husband, Stan, three sons:  Mark (Judy) in Md., Grant (Julee) in Calif., and Blair (Joanna) in Pa., nine grandchildren, one great-grand child, three nephews and three nieces. She was predeceased by her parents and her three brothers: Franklin, Vernon, and Walter.

A memorial service will be held on April 18, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Tryon Presbyterian Church. A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Donations can be made to the Laurel Lake Music Society of Tryon Estates, 617 Laurel Lake Drive, Columbus, NC 28722   c/o Al Hart, or to the Tryon Presbyterian Church Building Fund, Tryon Presbyterian Church, 430 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, NC  28782.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.