Jean Elaine Lawton passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024. She is survived by her two daughters Cathy Maxwell and Kim Yorio, and her grandchildren, Megan, Nicole, Tom Jr. and Larry. She was born on March 26, 1933 in West Allis, WI. Her college career started off as a music major. After transferring to Arizona State College (now ASU), she changed her major to Education. She taught primary grades at Scottsdale Unified School District for almost 40 years and earned two Masters Degrees during this time. She was nominated as a Teacher of the Year in the 1960’s. She had a beautiful Soprano voice and sang in choirs throughout her life. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix and is remembered as the longest standing member of their choir. She sang with many volunteer groups including the Phoenix Masterworks Chorale, who also sang with the Phoenix Symphony. Among the highlights for her was performing in Europe and in Carnegie Hall. She was a lifelong learner and a voracious reader. She used to say that she would have to live until age 200 in order to read all of the books she owned. She very much enjoyed playing games with the family, especially our holiday Left-Right-Center game accompanied by lots of laughter. Even through her final stages of illness she was kind to others, always found humor and was grateful for the good things and people she had in her life. She was loved and will be missed by many. A memorial is planned to be held in January 2025. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor her through a donation, please donate to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix. https://www.phoenixuu.org/