Jean Coldsmith

Jean Anne Coldsmith with her big heart and her great love for her children and family died March 29, 2012 at home. She was 54 years old when she succumbed to ovarian cancer after a five year battle waged with determination and grace. For her family, Jean was a loving mother, anchor and mentor, companion and friend alike. When the disease took an increasing toll on her, making life seemingly a chore, her many friends, her mother, her husband Horst and especially her boys, Teague and Paul, provided her with the will, energy and the moments of joy to continue as long as possible. Jean's favorite saying was that the two things parents could give their children were roots to let them know where they come from and wings to pursue their dreams. In this she succeeded spectacularly. Jean's goal in life was "to make a difference"; to make her life count by trying to improve the lives of others. For Jean, humanity's purpose, and thus her own, was to help each other up. She started with work in women's shelters and crisis centers, taught on a Navajo reservation and in Germany, but found her true calling in her work for Jackson's schools. There she helped students prepare for their future, gave them a leg up or merely prevented them from stumbling, especially those who already had obstacles in their way. If life was a treasure, then for Jean education was the key to unlock it. Jean was hired in 1991 as a counselor at Jackson Hole Junior High School and continued to work for twenty two years for the district in multiple capacities. She was instrumental in the transition from the Junior High School to the current Middle School in 1992. Jean facilitated numerous community forums and focused her advocacy on the unique needs of pre-adolescents. She redesigned the school counseling role to include not only counseling, but classroom guidance, a teacher advisory program, consultation with families, and coordination of community-wide services. Jean was a champion of early adolescents. She enjoyed the vitality of this age group as students expanded their social awareness and increased their cognitive abilities. During Jean's tenure as counselor, she developed many effective programs which focused on success for all students. In 2001, Jean became the Assistant Principal of Jackson Hole Middle School and Principal in 2002. As an administrator, she continued her advocacy for young adolescents through her strong vision for student success and ownership of learning. She implemented a social norming campaign that continues to be the cornerstone of Jackson Hole Middle School today. In 2010, Jean moved to the central office to lead the district in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She transformed this traditional role into one that impacted district practices based on current research. She worked with principals, instructional facilitators, and student support staff on a cohesive system that continued her vision of student success. Jean was a valued employee of Teton County School District. She positively impacted many lives - students and adults alike. She will be remembered for her advocacy of youth, her sense of humor, and above all, her commitment to the betterment of the lives of her students. Jean will be sorely missed by all. Jean had a way of connecting with people, making each person feel understood and appreciated. While attending public schools in Alexandria, Va., she formed life- long friendships and worked with children through the recreation department. At T.C. Williams High, - 'Remember the Titans'- she was a member of Alexandria's first women's high school crew team and a member of the boat that won the Women's National Crew Title at Stokesbury, PA. Jean was imbued with a sense of adventure and a lifelong interest in travel. After college, she embarked for several months on a tour of the country, that carried her from the South to the Rockies and up to Alaska before coming to Yellowstone and Wyoming where she met her future husband, Horst Gudemann, in 1985. Jean continued to travel throughout her life, including hiking/canoeing in Alaska with her husband, and journeys to Europe, Turkey, Fiji and Southeast Asia. Bali, because of its beauty and spirituality, had a special place in Jean's heart. When her ashes are spread, she wanted some to reach the Pacific, eventually carrying her back to Bali. The youngest of three children born to Anne Anker Coldsmith and James Wesley Coldsmith in Denver, Colorado, on February 19, 1958, she moved with her family to Park Forest, Illinois, as a baby and then to Alexandria, Virginia, in 1966. Jean earned her BA in education from the University of Richmond, Virginia, and her Masters degree in counseling from Oregon State University. Jean is survived by her husband Horst Gudemann, her sons Teague and Paul Gudemann, her mother, Anne Anker Coldsmith, brother Bruce Coldsmith (Elise Labbe-Coldsmith), sister Janet Coldsmith (Thomas L. Rice), many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Jean is predeceased by her father James W. Coldsmith. The family would especially like to thank her numerous friends who provided support and encouragement to her and us during her battle with cancer. A Celebration of Jean's Life is planned for May 12, at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts at 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, a charity will be named later, if friends wish to make contributions in her honor.

---