Obituaries

Jean E. Ayulo, 92, peacefully passed into eternal rest in Tustin, California on April 7, 2026. The youngest child of Violetta and Robert Eastman, Jean was born and raised in Florence, KY.

She graduated from Florence High School in 1952 and briefly attended Centre College in Danville, KY. After graduating from art school in Cincinnati, Jean worked as an artist for a Cincinnati advertising agency. She dearly cherished daily rides with her father to and from their respective work locations in Cincinnati.

In her early twenties, Jean married Julio A. Ayulo, MD, who preceded her in death; the couple then moved to Southern California to raise their family.

Also preceding her in death, are Jean’s three siblings; Betty (Nancy E.) Rouse (Robert), Robert Eastman VI (Jackie), and Ruth Bennett (Donald), all of Northern Kentucky, her son-in-law, William Joseph Silvia, and niece, Karen Bennett.

Jean enjoyed US history, building furniture and making things, gardening, sightseeing throughout the country, creating unique hand-made Christmas cards, dogs, and reading. Her favorite reads were historic books and the “Cat Who …” mysteries by Lilian J. Braun. She dabbled in outdoor landscape design and indoor design elements with beautiful results. Many of
her creative pieces are distributed within the family; they are cherished and will keep her ever present. Jean also loved to play Gin Rummy with her family; most especially when she won!

In 2000, Jean moved back to her beloved Kentucky; living in Lexington for 20 years. She visited all 12 of Kentucky’s historic covered bridges. Jean was a member and officer for the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter IX. She is fondly remembered for her frequent use of idioms and proverbs such as; “the early bird gets the worm,” “a watch pot never boils,” “it’s raining cats and dogs,” and the like.

Jean is survived by her five children Pamela Silvia, Jennifer Saunders (Matt), Mark Ayulo (Rachel), Barbara Miller (Brian), and Michael Ayulo (Kirsten); her grandchildren Alexander (Annie), Jake, Nick (Alisha), Katie (Anthony), Nicholas, Alexandra (Brett), Duke, Abigail (Jack), Serena (Mitch), Cooper, and Benjamin; her great-grandchildren Everly and Emilia; her nieces Judy, Lynn, Nancy, Cherry, Toni, and Melissa; and her nephew Christopher. Jean’s legacy and memory will live on with the family that loves her.

Jean will lay at rest, with other family members, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Erlanger, KY. Kentucky was Jean’s heart and soul so she will truly rest in peace now that she is home.

In lieu of flowers to honor Jean’s memory, please consider planting a tree or making a donation to the Colonial Dames. Donations to the Colonial Dames may be mailed to: Jessieanne H. Wells, Treasurer, 1055 King Road, Cox’s Creek, KY 40013-6775.