Jean Harriet Mears, of Havre de Grace, MD, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2013. She was 84 years old. She was born in Baltimore, MD to the late Charles H. and Florence A. Stephans. She was the wife of the late David N. Mears, who died in May 1982.
Mrs. Mears obtained her education in Baltimore Public Schools, having graduated from Western (Female) High School in 1947. At graduating she was awarded a certificate for having received 12 years of perfect attendance. After High School, she was employed with Allied Building Credits, a financial institution that finances Harundale Homes in Glen Burnie. ABC was a subsidiary of Bank of America, with the home base being in California. The office was located on South Street in Baltimore, MD. In 1951, she moved to Havre de Grace with her parents. She continued to commute to Baltimore until 1953, when she became employed by Livezey Lumber Company in Aberdeen, MD. She late transferred to Chesapeake Lumber Company, on the property where City Hall is now located. Her husband to be, David, also worked for Livezey Lumber Company, and they met in 1956 and were married in 1957 after he was discharged from the United Styates Marine Corps.

In 1965 a construction company was formed known as Knight and Mears, Inc., which was located at 623 Ontario Street. After the death of Mr. Mears’ partner, Dalet T. Knight, in 1971, the operation was moved to 629 Revolution Street, where she and her husband continued the business until her husband’s death in 1982. In 1983, the business was sold and in 1985 the property was sold to the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps. Her proudest moment was when the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corp. made her an Honorary Member in 2000.

Mrs. Mears’ volunteer activities were extensive. She served on the Christmas Committee for 10 years, with a host of other volunteers, making live greenery wreaths and placing them on all of the buildings in downtown Havre de Grace. She and Richard Tome were instrumental in placing luminaries down Union Avenue, which is a ritual, even today. She was charter President of the Venture Club, an organization for young business women. She was President and Past President of the Soroptimist Club of Havre de Grace, serving on many committees. In 1987, the Soroptimist Club honored her with the distinctive award of “Woman of the Year”, and at the same time, then Mayor David Craig honored her with the proclamation naming her Honorary Citizen of Havre de Grace. She was on the Board of Directors of the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce. In 1984 she was asked to be the fund raiser chairperson for the Havre de Grace Police Training and Community Center. In light of this, she was asked to serve as the Secretary for the Havre de Grace Law Enforcement Association, a group formed to oversee the planning and and construction of the building now known as the Havre de Grace Community Center Lagaret Lane. Ms. Mears had the task of raising $100,000.00 so a matching grant could be obtained from the State of Maryland. Doing this, the addition funding came from the Mayor and City Council of Havre de Grace to complete the building. Each window in the hall was in memory/ honor of a loved one and has a plaque inscribed indicating the window of their choice. The building was completed and dedicated in 1989.

Her volunteerism remained with her having been named on the Board of Directors for Job Corps., Chairperson of the Tree Committee, which placed memorial trees on Union Avenue. In 1993 she received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce for her dedicated service. She was employed part-time at various jobs, but in 1994 she accepted a position as the coordinator for the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce. Her position got her involved in a host of outside activities, which she pursued in the name of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce. She was later named Director of the Chamber, the position she held until her retirement in 2004. She volunteered for the Ripken Stadium, supporting their projects, promoted the Ripken Museum, and was a member of the Cal Ripken Sr., Foundation. In 2004, the Aberdeen Mayor and City Council presented her with a commemorative plaque of Aberdeen for her 10 years of service to the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce and for her volunteer work for the community of Aberdeen.
After her retirement, she volunteered at the Havre de Grace Visitor’s Center, which was an important job to her, especially promoting the City of Havre de Grace. She supported many activities and organizations in Havre de Grace and became a member of the Young at Heart.
Mrs. Mears was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace, and served on the Board of Trustees for many years. She enjoyed gardening and decorating her home, as well as reading and completing word puzzles. She was also fond of volunteering.
She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Diane Werst and her husband Christian of Punta Gorda, FL, her niece, Joan Harrison Jackson and her husband Terry of Colorado, a nephew John A. Harrison, III, and his wife Joann of Westminster, MD. She was predeceased by her sister, Charlotte D. Harrison and her brother-in-law, John Harrison.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, from 4-8 PM, at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 South Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD, 21078. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM, at the Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace, 551 Franklin Street, Havre de Grace, MD. Interment will be held at Harford Memorial Gardens, which was designed by her late husband. Pastor Larry Dobson will officiate. Pallbearers will be George Brown, Arthur Naff, R. Madison Mitchell, Jr., John A. Harrison, III, Greg Smith and Melvin Knight.
Honorary pallbearers will be Brigitte Peters, Cathy Vincenti, and Phyllis Grover.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace, 551 Franklin Street, Havre de Grace, MD, 21078.
Online condolences may be made to www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.

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