Jean S. Ayton

Jean Carol (Strough) Ayton – 93

Jean was born in Fulton, New York on December 26, 1928 to educators Lyndon H. Strough and Winifred (Near) Strough.  She grew up in Niagara Falls, New York and graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1945.   Growing up she enjoyed reading, writing, poetry, and swimming.  She attended Syracuse University.  She studied Speech and English, enjoyed the Chi Omega sorority, and graduated in 1950.  She then obtained a Master’s degree in Education at Connell University.  In the mid Fifties, she moved to Bergenfield, NJ to work in Remedial Education, a career she enjoyed until she became a mother.  In 1958, she met the love of her life, Edward Ayton.  They were married in September 1959.  Their only child David was born in May 1961.  In 1963, they settled in Woodcliff Lake, NJ where she lived for 51 years.  They belonged to the First Congregational Church where she was a leader in Sunday school and active as a lay worship leader.  She also was a volunteer along with her husband in Boy Scout Troop 349, serving on the troop committee and providing secretarial services. Once her son was grown, she started a new career at Emerson Library where she enjoyed serving the public and maintaining the circulation.  She retired in 2008.  She shared a passion for writing with her granddaughters.  She was a skilled editor helping friends and family with their literary projects.  In recent years, she moved to Dorothy Love Retirement Community in Sidney, OH to be close to her son and his family. 

She is preceded in death by her husband of 46 years.  She is survived by her son David Ayton and his wife Kendra, grandchildren Eliza Lee (Stephen), Melissa Cosmos (Joshua), and great grandchildren Anna Lee and Myla Cosmos.  She is also survived by her niece Melinda Boyce (Henry) and her nephew Jim Ayton (Beatrice), as well as her cousin William Hullet (Judy).

In keeping Jeans’s wishes she will be cremated and a memorial service will be held in Park Ridge, New Jersey in the spring. Online condolences may be left for the Ayton family at www.salm-mcgillandtangemanfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton or the First Congregational Church of Park Ridge, NJ. Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home is honored to be taking care of the Ayton family.

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