Jean Louise Wolverton, 94, died on Dec. 4 at the Ronald Reagan Hospital at UCLA after a short period of declining health.
She was born in Bandon, Ore., on April 14, 1924. “Grubby Cat,” as she was dubbed by her father, moved at an early age with her family to Vista, Calif. After graduating from Vista High School in 1942, “Wolvy” attended UCLA and became a registered nurse. While working at Good Samaritan Hospital, she met her future husband, Dr. Fred H. Linthicum Jr. They married and began a life together that took them to Ft. Lewis, Baltimore, Zurich and Hollywood before settling on Topanga Beach in 1961 with their three children. In 1966, the family moved to Malibu Road where, her family said, she “created a home environment that became a magnet for her children’s friends, full of life, laughter, activity, and some mischief.”
“Nurse Jean” volunteered with the John Tracy Clinic and the Kennedy Center at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica. For many years, she served as the camp nurse in the Kennedy Center’s summer program for special needs children, which was held at what is now King Gillette Ranch. Jean was a founding member and the first president of the Deafness Research Foundation Auxiliary charitable organization. In later life, she became a docent at Charmlee Wilderness Park in Malibu, where she was recognized as “Queen Jean” and overcame a lifelong fear of snakes by learning to stay calm when encountering rattlers on group hikes with impressionable children.
As an active person, Jean enjoyed energetic walks with friends, gardening, fly fishing, traveling and sorting stacks of donated items for the Artifac Tree thrift shop, per her family. She was a 25-plus year member in the Pt. Dume book club.
Jean is survived by her husband of 72 years, two sons (Fred and Philip) and their wives, three grandsons, and two granddaughters (who called Jean “Grandma Grubby” with great affection). She is remembered by her family for her incredible vitality, positive attitude, and broad generosity.
A remembrance is planned at the family home in February.