Jean H. Treece

January 25, 1928 ~ January 5, 2008

Jean H. Treece, 79, of Bluff UT died January 5, 2008 in Evergreen, CO.

There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. on January 11, 2008 at her home in Bluff.

Jean was born in Wichita, KS, on January 25, 1928. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, friend and mentor to hundreds of people in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Utah, and a passionate advocate for social justice throughout her life.

Jean was active in the Episcopal Church and was ordained as a deacon in the 1990s. She was a Deacon at St. John the Baptist Church in Breckenridge, CO and ministered to church and community members. Her work and volunteer efforts reflected her wide interests and commitment to human development.

She supported economic development for women in southern Utah, Guatemala, and Kenya, and she was a founding organizer of the microcredit program of Friendship Bridge.

Jean was a volunteer tour guide for University of Colorado archeological digs in southern Utah. She was a host and sponsor for many individuals and organizations involving faith, architecture, archeology, Indian affairs, and the Bluff balloon festival.

She and Dan Treece, her husband of 39 years, were active in the Navajo community through their ministry of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Mission southern Utah. Jean was the project manager on the construction of a Navajo-built strawbale house that became a model for architects and environmentalists worldwide.

Her work with Navajo families included negotiating with the Department of Justice for compensation for medical conditions under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

In addition, she worked as a land man in Denver, and owned and operated the Silver Squash Indian Jewelry Store in Evergreen with her husband, Dan.

She was married to Gilbert Huff of Wichita, KS, and later to Dan Treece of Alva, OK. She lived in Oklahoma City, Breckenridge, Denver, Evergreen, and Bluff.

She is survived by daughters Terry Treece, Sandra Treece (Larry) Harnois, Mary Ann (Kevin) Braklow, sons David (Heidi) Huff and Kent (Stuart) Huff, and six grandchildren, Daniel Berndt, Sarah Huff, Lauren Huff, Derek Huff, Michael Braklow and Christopher Braklow.

The pallbearers are David Huff, Kent Huff, Derek Huff, Daniel Berndt, Kevin Braklow, Michael Braklow, Larry Harnois and Dan Edwards.

Honorary pallbearers are Sarah Huff, Christopher Braklow, and Lauren Huff.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Friendship Bridge or your charity of choice.

Friendship Bridge

3560 Highway 74, Suite B-2

Evergreen, CO 80439