Jean Hall Mooney, of Glenrock, Wyoming — a devoted homemaker as well as a home economist and librarian — died on April 18, 2022, after a period of declining health. She was 93.

She was born Jean Caparn Hall on June 9, 1928, in Syracuse, New York, the daughter of Samuel W. and Theodora A. (née Shapley) Hall. “The family soon moved to Altamont where Jean was valedictorian of her class at Altamont High School in 1946,” her family wrote in a tribute.

“She attended Syracuse University, where she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, earning a degree in home economics in 1950,” the tribute went on. “She then went to work as a Home Bureau agent in Herkimer and Liberty, and a Cornell Cooperative Extension specialist in Ithaca.

“During this time, she met William Frank Mooney Jr. from Succasunna, New Jersey, whom she would marry at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Altamont in 1955. Their marriage lasted for 65 years, until his death in 2020.

“Between 1956 and 1961, she gave birth to four children, two boys and two girls. In 1959, Jean and Bill purchased a 60-acre farm on Larry Hill Road, outside of Gallupville. Jean was the design consultant as they completely renovated and redecorated their 13-room, 1870s-era farmhouse.

“She was also busy running a five-person household (plus dogs, cats, and livestock) since Bill was often away on business. She was a good cook, using whatever was in season from the garden and orchard.  Good enough, in fact, that ‘MamaJean’s’ raspberry jam sailed off the shelves at a local market in the 1970s.

“When her children left home, she wrote scores of letters to stay in touch with them.

“Jean served for years as the treasurer of the Gallupville Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Gallupville Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary. She was active in the Schoharie chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

“For more than 10 years, Jean was pleased to be the head librarian at the Mary Beatrice Cushing Memorial Library in Schoharie. The position combined her love of books with her penchant for community service.

“After retirement, the couple traveled to visit family and memorable destinations. They were well-established on Larry Hill, with many good friends and neighbors. But by 2003, Jean and Bill were looking west, clearing out the farmhouse and barns, and moving to “the ranch,” 20 acres on the banks of the North Platte River, near Glenrock, Wyoming.

“They made good friends there as they worked on home improvements, with Jean busy reading avidly, mastering the daily crossword puzzle, tending her collection of African violets, and beautifying their yard.  She passed away on her mother’s birthday.

“Jean Mooney was a beloved sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, homemaker, librarian, home economist, and someone always willing to give back to the community.”

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Jean Hall Mooney is survived by her sister, Virginia “Jinny” Ucci; by her children, Sarah, Cynthia, Joel and his wife, Jeanne, and William; and by her grandchildren, Frances, Sarah, John, Stacey, Amanda, and Marisa.

Her parents, Samuel W. and Theodora A. (née Shapley) Hall, died before her, as did a niece, Deborah Jean.

Her family included this verse with her tribute:

“Small service is true service while it lasts:

Of humblest Friends, bright Creature! scorn not one:

The Daisy, by the shadow that it casts,

Protects the lingering dew-drop from the Sun.”