Jean R. Seaton

Helen Jean Robarts Seaton, born April 1, 1931 in Atlanta where she lived her first 21 years, passed peacefully at home embraced in family love on July 9, 2026. Beloved wife for 66 years until 2020 of the late Robert F. Seaton; loving mother of Scott (Diana) Seaton and the Rev. Dr. Sandy (the late Rev. Lee) Seaton-Todd; cherished grandmother of Will Seaton, Caroline (William) Norcross, Jack (Michaela) Seaton, and Sarah, Scott, MacKenzie, Richie and Robbie Seaton-Todd; adored daughter of the late Faye Huntington and Helen Hooker Robarts; devoted cat and dog owner throughout her life of Smoky, Beau, Tappy, Cincy, Puddin, Little One, Squeak, Cody, Molly, Lucy, and Kitty.

Graduate of Agnes Scott College, (BA, Psychology); University of Nevada, Las Vegas, (MA, Education); Case Western Reserve University, (PhD., American Studies); Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy, serving as Communications Officer to the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon during the Korean War; HR manager, Macy’s, San Francisco; Associate Professor, Psychology, University of Cincinnati; Professor, Psychology and Women’s Studies, Ursuline College; Pepper Pike City Council member for 16 years; Garfield Church lay leader, representative to Northeast Ohio Conference, Pastor-Parish Relations committee, and 30-year small group leader, Church Of The Western Reserve deacon as well as weekly Sunday greeter for 10 years; service to many other organizations.

Jean and Bob camped all over the West while raising their family, were blessed to travel the world in retirement, and loved spending time with their family at Chautauqua in the summers and in Pelican Sound in Florida in the winters. They designed and built four homes as they moved across the country.

Jean and Bob were consummate hosts whether for dinner parties, cocktails, or hosting young people for weeks, months, or a year. Jean loved politics, reading, cheering on Cleveland sports teams, and most of all her friends and family, including Bob’s large extended family, and engaging with young adults. She was incredibly orderly, efficient, decisive, wise and mature but most importantly she was supremely gracious, loving, joyful, always smiling, grateful, intentionally seeing the good in everybody and saying only positive things.

The guiding verse of Jean‘s life since third grade was Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Everyone who met Jean experienced kindness and welcome, and the peace, beauty, and joy of Christ’s spirit. Jean was a bright light of God’s love in the world, and is deeply loved and missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Church Of The Western Reserve, Attn: Jean and Robert Seaton Fund, 30500 Fairmount Blvd, Pepper Pike OH 44124 (or Venmo CWR_church, or www.cwr.church/donate), or to Ursuline College, Attn: Jean and Robert Seaton Scholarship Fund, 2550 Lander Road, Pepper Pike OH 44124.

A celebration of our beloved Jean will be Friday, August 14 at Church Of The Western Reserve with Visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 AM, Memorial Service at 11:00 AM, and Military Honors at Knollwood Cemetery at 12:30 PM.