Jean Grier Sezna, of Wilmington, Delaware, formerly of Milford, Delaware, passed away on June 10, 2018, at the age of 97. She was born in 1920 to Davis Ralston Grier and Mabel Shattuck Grier. Her father and his brothers owned the L.D. Caulk company in Milford.
Jean majored in Drama at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. In 1942 she married Walter William (Wally) Sezna. At that time Captain Sezna was serving in the Army Corps of Engineers. They began their married life in Virginia while Wally was stationed at Fort Belvoir. In 1949 Jean and Wally moved to Wilmington, where Wally founded S&S Builders. In 1953 they purchased and renovated the legendary Columbus Inn.
Always a lover of good food and great company, Jean spent her early years greeting friends at the Columbus Inn and raising her growing family. She and Wally had five children, Barbara Gehret (John), Kathleen Sezna, Diane Sezna, Davis Sezna (Barbara), and Ronald Sezna. Jean was a loving grandmother to 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Her signature blend of loyalty, honesty, and love was, and remains today, her gift of priceless value to each grandchild.
Social and funny by nature, the always stylish Jean and her beloved Wally led an active life, filled with friends and travel until his death in 1982. She took great pride in her family and their accomplishments and was a staunch supporter of all their endeavors.
Jean was a woman of great and enduring faith. She leaves a legacy of love and laughter, and she will be forever remembered by her loving family and cherished friends.
We will be celebrating Jean’s life at a funeral service on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, 505 Buck Road, Wilmington, DE. Interment will immediately follow at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family invites all of Jean’s friends to join them for a reception following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jean’s name may be made to The Sezna Foundation – In the Spirit of Teddy and Deeg Fund, P.O. Box 420, Rockland, DE 19732 or online at The Sezna Foundation website. The Sezna Foundation provides scholarships at Pilot School, Tatnall School, and Vanderbilt University.
Condolences
Thank You
Your online condolence will appear once approved by our site administrator.