Jean Festa

Jean Festa, age 86, died peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by her family, on Monday, November 19, 2018. Jean is survived by her husband of 64 years Conrad Festa. She is also survived by her children, Rachel Anne Fleming, David and his wife Suzanne Burrows, Andrew and Daniel, and her grandchildren, Danielle Festa and Samuel, Sarah Jean, and Jonah Fleming.

Jean loved life and followed her passions but her first priority was family. Underneath a loving and warm disposition was an unwavering devotion to her family. She instilled that strong will, along with a love of other people, and independent outlook on life to her children.

All those who knew Jean knew she loved the outdoors and physical fitness. She visited nearly 40 countries, some multiple times, and, at 86, was still eager for more. At 48, Jean went on the first of three Outward Bound physically challenging expeditions. She hiked Machu Picchu in Peru, trekked in Nepal, rode camels in Morocco, and once sneaked into a tiger preserve to spend the night in a tree hoping to see one of the great cats.

Well before it was fashionable, Jean grasped the connection between food, exercise and well-being. Her children remember her making yogurt, going to farmers' roadside stands, and refusing to have high-sugar or processed foods in the house.

Jean also loved the arts. Charleston's extravaganza of theater and music, Spoleto, was a favorite of hers. Ultimately, it was Jeans openness of spirit, genuine concern for others and enthusiasm for life that most defined her.

There is an unfillable hole in the lives of those who called her wife, mom, and friend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to The Environmental Defense Fund, 123 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.

Her Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held Saturday, January 19, 2019 in the College of Charleston Alumni Memorial Hall, Randolph Hall Building, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424.