Jean Marie Slavin Schwaller, 92, passed away December 21, 2021, at University Health Lakewood Care Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Private services were held on December 24th, followed by interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Harvesters or the KC Pet Project

Jean was the daughter of Frank Joseph Slavin and Bessie Harding Slavin, one of five siblings in a close-knit family that loved to laugh together. Jean was married in 1952 to Norbert Schwaller and together they were the parents of Bert, Ellen, Laura, Paul, and Amy. After Norbert's sudden death in 1971, Jean was determined that her family would still sit together long after dinner, telling stories and laughing until the tears flowed, and she accomplished exactly that.

Jean was the school secretary at Saint Bernadette Elementary School for many years until her retirement, when she devoted herself to enjoying her grandchildren. She especially loved hosting her family and friends at her vacation home at Truman Lake. She read widely, sewed beautifully, and took on every type of home project from refinishing cabinets and furniture to climbing ladders to clean gutters long after her children thought she shouldn't.

Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Norbert, and her brothers Sonny, Michael, and Jim Slavin. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild: Bert and wife Mary, with daughter Kathleen, son Robert, his wife Alexandra Blair and daughter Margaux, and sons Sam and Nate; Ellen and husband Gary Goebel, with daughters Audrey and her husband James Atkisson, Charlotte and her husband Mike Baker, and Clarissa; Laura and her daughter Maddy; Paul, his wife Jerilyn and sons James and Daniel; and daughter Amy. Jean is also survived by her sister JoEllen Beckman of Omaha, Nebraska and many nieces and nephews.

Her children wish to thank all the friends and neighbors who have sent their loving sympathy, and the staff of Lakewood Care Center, who have managed during a disastrous year to show kindness and care not only for our mother but for all her family.