Obituaries

Jean Oldfield (nee Helen Jean Krischler) died June 30th, just three days before her 99th birthday. She was born July 3, 1927, to William and Lauretta Krischler on Bakewell Street in Covington.

She survived the 1937 flood, which claimed the lives of several neighbors next door to her home. She recounted the story 75 years later for a news segment on Fox-19 and in the KET documentary, Covington at 200: Points of View.

Jean excelled at St. Aloysius Grade School and LaSallette Academy, becoming the first person in her immediate family to graduate from high school. She received the highest honor from Camp Ernst for her time as a camper.

Jean worked at Cincinnati Bell before starting a family with Keith Oldfield. They made their home in Bellevue, KY and had three children, Pam, Lynn (who died at birth) and Steve. Having grown up in challenging conditions without indoor plumbing during the Great Depression, Jean was perhaps most proud of owning her own home on Berry Avenue in Bellevue, where she lived for 72 years. She also enjoyed traveling with family and friends, in trips that took her twice to Europe and across 43 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Jean devoted her life to her children and to volunteering, from Girl Scouts to working in Bellevue’s Sacred Heart Parish’s library and cafeteria (now Divine Mercy Parish). She taught adults to read and received an award from Governor Martha Layne Collins.

Jean inspired her family and friends by her resilience, resolve, positive attitude and strong spirit. She overcame three bouts of cancer, mini-strokes and heart failure. She spent her last year coping with dialysis to treat failing kidneys. Hospital nurses and doctors often commented on her cheerful, polite nature and she never failed to thank anyone who came to her room.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

She leaves behind children Pam and Steve; son-in-law Don Capi and grandson Donnie; Scott Oldfield, a nephew by marriage and his wife, Robin and daughters Belle and Grace.

Monsignor William Cleves, who has known Jean for most of his life, led a burial service at St. John Cemetery in Fort Mitchell on Friday, July 3rd. The family is planning a Celebration of Life Mass for later this Summer.

Donations may be made to Camp Ernst or Divine Mercy Parish.