Jean Ann (Yarborough) Hartsuck
July 18, 1939 – August 21, 2024
Jean Ann Hartsuck passed away peacefully at her home after a short, but intense, battle with abdominal cancer on August 21st, 2024. She was born in Enid, Oklahoma on July 18th, 1939 to Marcella and Joel Yarborough. Jean was a dear mother, wife, sister, aunt and friend who will be remembered for her exceptional intellect, dedication to science, leadership and service to the community, and, perhaps most of all, as the centerpiece of her family. After graduating as the valedictorian of Enid High School, where she was a State Champion in debate, she continued to excel academically by graduating in three years from the University of Oklahoma, where she met her husband, Dr. James Hartsuck. Jean was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study in
Germany, but declined it to instead continue her academic career at
Harvard University, where she earned a PhD in Physical Chemistry followed by a five-year postdoctoral fellowship in a Nobel winning chemistry laboratory. During her Boston years she married, had two of her three daughters, and published numerous scientific contributions. In 1970, she and her family returned to Oklahoma, where she further pursued her scientific career at the Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City. Joyfully, her third daughter was born in Oklahoma in 1974. After 20 years as a scientist, Jean then directed her energies toward community service, including as President of the Orchestra League, Chairman of the Board of the Philharmonic Society, a member of the Board of Trustees of Casady School and Board of Directors of Allied Arts, and, for 30 years, Treasurer of All Souls’ Episcopal Church. She and James Hartsuck married in 1962 and were fortunate to have had a beautiful partnership and loving marriage for 62 years. She is survived by her husband, James Hartsuck, her three daughters,
Rebecca Hulsey, Mary Fleischli, and Katie Kastner, as well as her
ten beautiful grandchildren and loving niece and nephew.