Obituary: Jean Elizabeth Baldwin Kingsland

Jean Elizabeth Baldwin Kingsland, 99, passed away at Scallop Shell Nursing and Rehab Center in Wakefield, R.I. Oct. 20, 2012.

She was the wife of the late Roger S. Kingsland. Born in Deer Park, Washington, she was the daughter of the late John Gray and Bessie Mary (George) Baldwin.

Mrs. Kingsland was raised in Boonton, NJ.. After her marriage in 1940, she lived in Mt. Tabor, N.J. She moved to Rhode Island in 2005.

She graduated from Boonton High School, attended Wheaton College and Moon Secretarial School in New York. She became a secretary for a law firm in NYC before leaving to be married and raise a family. She returned to work in 1958 as secretary to the principal at Parsippany High School, Parsippany, N.J., retiring in 1978.

Since 1941, Mrs. Kingsland was a member of the United Methodist Church at Mt. Tabor, N.J., where she served as secretary to the Board of Trustees. She sang in the chancel choir until well into her nineties and enjoyed the many women's activities. Along with her husband, she was a co-founder of the Mt Tabor Band and the Lakeland Youth Symphony. In later years, as an art student, she painted many pictures of the flowers she grew in her gardens. She and her husband were avid organic gardeners, sharing their produce with family and friends. She loved the beach and was a strong and graceful swimmer. She enjoyed many winters in Vero Beach, Fla and summers in Weld, Maine.

Mrs. Kingsland is survived by her children Jean E. Milkman and her husband Howard of Woodridge, Ill., Anne K. Meeker (widow of William C.) of Wakefield, R.I. and her son Roger B. Kingsland and his wife Diane of Altamont, N.Y.; her sister Anne B. Fritzinger of Freehold, N.J.; her grandchildren Jennifer Milkman Vettrus, Peter H. Milkman, Christopher E. Kingsland, Molly M. Meeker and David B. Meeker; and her great-grandson Benjamin Kingsland. 

Arrangements are with the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, Wakefield, RI and the Mackey Funeral Home, Boonton, NJ. A Memorial Service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Mt. Tabor, N.J. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 at 1 p.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Scallop Shell Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Activity Fund, 981 Kingstown Road, Peace Dale, RI 02879 or to the United Methodist Church, P.O Box 29, Mt Tabor, NJ 07878. For guest book and condolences visit averystortifuneralhome.com.