Jean Louise Sickles

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they won’t forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou)

It is with sorrow that we say good bye to a remarkable woman, Jean Louise Sickles. Born on October 31, 1932, in Kansas City, MO, she had a caring blend of wit and orneriness well known by her family and friends. Jean was a woman of many roles - a loving wife, a loving mother, and a compassionate caregiver to many.

Jean's dedication to caring for others was not just a personality trait but also her profession. She spent many rewarding years as a Certified Nurse's Assistant in Long Beach and Costa Mesa, CA, until her retirement in 2000. Her specialty was caring for the elderly and when she began this career she worked with children diagnosed Down syndrome.

Jean’s life was not without its challenges. Having spent her second birthday in an orphanage during the Great Depression, she was raised by her mother and grandparents in Kansas City, Missouri. At 16, she married Louis Jobst Jr., and together they raised their children in Southern California. They divorced after 23 years of marriage.

Jean found love again with Jack Sickles. Their love story spanned 46 years, filled with adventure, shared laughter, love, and an eventual retirement to Kingman, Arizona, in 2003. She was a passionate dog lover with her favorite being a Rottweiler named “Corey.” Jean had a deep love for her husband, her home, her family and her beloved rose gardens.

Jean is survived by her daughter Michele (Bruce), her stepdaughter Ann Marie and stepson Anthony. Also her grandson Justin (Megan), grandson Ryan (Amy), granddaughter Jillian, step grandchildren, Sean, Matt and Niki. Her great grandchildren Beck, Journey, Jasper and Malachite. Her Nieces, Cheryl Ray (Bob), Jackie Kay, Cheryl Kay, Nephews Jeff ( Penni) and David (Michelle).

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, son Douglas, niece Maggie Marie, sister Dorothy, nephew Patrick, sister-in-law Jacqueline, and brother-in-law Marvin.

In the words of Dr. Seuss, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Jean has left us physically but her laughter, her compassion, and her love will always remain in our hearts.

We invite you to share your memories of Jean, and upload photos to our memorial page, as we celebrate a life so beautifully lived and a woman so deeply loved.