Jean Ashbrook

Jean Ashbrook Jean Romaine Leslie Ashbrook, Chillicothe, died June 13at Indian Hills Retirement Center. She is survived by one son, Tom Ashbrook and wife Julie, Chillicothe; one daughter, Janet Ashbrook Rinehart and husband Randy, Columbia; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Jean was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband, Harold Lee Ashbrook; two sons, Gary and David Ashbrook, and one infant grandson. Jean was born June 17, 1925, in Abilene, Kansas, to Ethel Stephey Leslie and Keith Leslie. That same year, Jean moved to her mother's hometown, Meadville, Missouri, and lived with her mother's brother and sister, Fern Stephey and Clyde Stephey, during the week, and on the weekends she lived with her mother in the old Chillicothe Hospital where Mrs. Leslie was an R.N. and hospital superintendent. As hospital superintendent, Mrs. Leslie was required to live in the hospital, and it became a second home to Jean. The hospital cook made special treats in little pie pans for her, and during surgeries, her mother set Jean on a little stool in the corner of the operating room where she would wait for her mother to finish work. During the afternoons, Jean would visit all the patients who were well enough to have a little girl stop by their room. In 1941Jean moved to Chillicothe and graduated from Chillicothe High School and Chillicothe Business School. In 1945 she married Harold Ashbrook of Chillicothe. Jean worked as a bookkeeper for several years, but primarily she was a mother and housewife. She enjoyed reading, visiting with friends and watching sporting events. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 22, at the Chillicothe United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the church.