Jean Kakerbeck Spitz

Jean Kakerbeck Spitz, age 88 of Hanahan, SC passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2012. A Memorial Services to celebrate her life will be held at the Providence Baptist Church, 294 Seven Farms Road, Daniel Island on Sunday, September 9th at 2pm. Arrangements by J. J. HENRY STUHR, INC., MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL.

She was born on July 13, 1924, in White Plains, NY to the late John Kakerbeck and Elizabeth Lawson Kakerbeck. Her career as a nurse took her many places. As a young woman during World War II she served as a US Army nurse cadet. Then as a nurse she worked in New York hospitals, then as a private nurse to Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot, as head nurse at York General Hospital and chairman of Red Cross nursing services in Rock Hill, SC. and finally in North Charleston SC, as a nurse for Dr Favaro. Jean married in 1949. Shortly after her marriage, Jean & her new husband Ken Spitz moved from New York City to Rome, Georgia where she started a family. Then in 1953, with 2 young children, moved to South America and lived in Medilline and Cali, Colombia for five years. There she was active as a part time model, became the first president of the American Woman's club and had 2 more children. In 1958 after enduring earthquakes and military coups, the family moved to Rock Hill, SC. where she had her 5th and last child and spent many years till moving to the Charleston area in 1972. Family, friends, home, and the arts were Jean's passion and delight. In Rock Hill, she was active in community theater and also provided many rich experiences for her children, including years as a Cub Scout Den Mother and Tri Hi Y leader.

Jean leaves behind her devoted husband Edward (Ken) Spitz. She also leaves behind her daughter Susan Spitz Christie & husband Scott, of Mt Pleasant, SC, son Rick Spitz & wife Barbara of Amherst, NH, son Ted Spitz and wife Michelle of Anderson, SC, son Peter Spitz & wife Patti of Mt Pleasant, SC, son William (Sandy) Spitz & wife Patti of Matthews, NC. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Douglas Christie & wife Joy of Providence, RI, Katharine Christie of Mt Pleasant, SC, Laurie Christie of Achworth, Ga, John Spitz of Merrimack, NH, Carly Spitz of Boston, MA, Jonathan Spitz of Columbia SC, Stephanie Spitz of Anderson, SC, Phillip Spitz, Michael Spitz, Kristyn Spitz & Ashlyn Spitz of Mt Pleasant, SC, Lindsey Spitz of Raleigh, NC, and Haley Spitz of Matthews, NC. She leaves behind her brother, Jack Kakerbeck and wife Margaret of Washingtonville, NY, brother Lawrie Kakerbeck & wife Joan of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sister Beth Wallach & husband Brian of White Plains, NY. Jean was preceded in death by her brother Robert Kakerbeck who died during D-Day operations in WWII.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in her memory to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., P.O. Box 418629, Boston, MA 02241-8629, Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation, 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, Virginia 22102 or Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357-0669.