On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, Jean Anne Vollrath passed away peacefully at the age of 67.
Jean was born June 29, 1954, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Victor and Isabelle (Burnside) Vollrath.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ruth and her husband Greg Talbott. She is survived by her sister Dona, stepson, Matt Talbott (wife Angela) and his daughter Addilyn, and her children Jessie Talbott, Ben Talbott (wife Sydney Williams), along with many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jean came to North Carolina in the 1980s and proceeded to weave together a rich life full of chosen family and quirky children. An independent woman, Jean loved fiercely and gave everything she had to the project at hand. Together with her husband she ran two small businesses, Twin Birch Products and Hickory Mountain Weavery. When her love, Greg, was taken too soon, Jean worked through her grief and raised two teenagers while earning a Master of Library Science, one of several advanced degrees. Jean loved weaving and many of her lifelong friends were found through teaching the hand craft to others.
Jean often served as a moral compass, a voice of reason, and a role model but her favorite thing in life was being a mother to Jessie and Ben. She was so proud of the humans they became, and often gave credit not just to herself but to the many mentors that lent their love and knowledge. In her later years, Jean became adventurous. She pushed through her fears and learned to kayak, bought a 5th wheel camper, and kept a travel blog that can be found at almostintrepid.blogspot. Jean drove into Canada more than once, across the U.S. more than once, and burned up the roads of the Southeastern U.S. with such ferocity that it was often hard for her kids and travel companions to keep up!
In her last months Jean reflected how lucky she was to know so much love and community in one lifetime. Though her speech waned, she made sure to express her love and gratitude daily. She will be missed by many in the community who knew her as a friend and teacher. If you knew our mother and would like to join us, there will be a jolly potluck in the fellowship hall at Spring Friends Meeting after the service. Bring your comfort food but be ready to take a plate home with you because our pantries have already been filled with love this week!
Her funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Spring Friends Meeting, 3323 E Greensboro-Chapel Hill Road, Snow Camp.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Heifer Project International, an organization she supported throughout her life.