Jean Etsinger passed away on March 1. An accomplished journalist, she was a lifelong believer in volunteerism and charity, with a particular fondness for arts and humanities. She was born to Walter Etsinger and Martha (Olinger) Etsinger in a small town Bucyrus, Ohio, where she graduated from Bucyrus High School and spent a year as a foreign exchange student in Brazil. She went on to receive a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Texas, and then a master’s degree from Ohio State University.
Her career in journalism included working for some of the most well-known newspapers, such as the Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Associated Press and the Brazil Herald.
Jean had a love for travel and had been to countries as diverse as Cuba, Italy and Brazil, where she taught English along with working for the aforementioned regional newspaper in Rio de Janeiro. She later navigated the Caribbean Sea as part of a sailboat crew and later moved to St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. There she gave birth to her only son, Jared.
Along with writing and editing for local newspapers in the Virgin Islands, she taught journalism at the University of the Virgin Islands. In 1995, she joined FEMA to aid in disaster relief management after a series of devastating hurricanes made landfall.
In 2000, Jean moved to Sarasota with Jared and made it her home. She volunteered tens of thousands of hours at many local venues and organizations, including at the Ringling Museum of Art and as a docent at John and Mable Ringling’s house Ca d’Zan.
She also was a docent at Selby Gardens’ The Payne Mansion, where she volunteered for many events, including Lights in Bloom. Additionally, she was a regular volunteer with Family Promise and with food banks such as Our Daily Bread, distributing food to those in need.
Jean founded the nonprofit Algonquin tour group, which opened doors to art and museums in the country. Her trips to multiple museums –local, statewide and even international — were enriching for participants.
She played piano and organ at church and loved attending concerts, musicals and the opera here in Sarasota, as well as in St. Petersburg.
As the words of her friends attest, “Jean lived her life committed to serving others.”
She is predeceased by her parents and her brother, Timothy Etsinger. She now leaves behind her son, Jared Etsinger; a brother, Thomas Etsinger; and many dear friends.
A memorial service to celebrate her life was held on Saturday, March 9, at Gloria Dei Church.
