Jean Laseter Hehn, 63, of Plant City, died June 19, 2016, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Tampa to Brand and Martha Laseter on Nov. 21, 1952. Her childhood was spent playing in the woods behind her Pinedale home with her two sisters, friends and horses. She attended the University of South Carolina where she met her husband, John. They spent 43 wonderful years together.
She taught at Marshall Middle School in Plant City from 1989 to 1999, where she sponsored the first Environmental Club.
She returned to college in 2000 and earned her master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of South Florida in 2002. In 2004, she opened and was active in a private psychotherapy practice in Plant City until she became sick in 2014.
She was devoted to the First Presbyterian Church Learning Center, where she served on the board and helped organize the first 2-year-old class. She volunteered with both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. She was the youth group leader at First Presbyterian when her children were in school, and led youth groups on mission trips to Las Botijas, Honduras for over 10 summers. She maintained close relationships with her friends there and continued to raise money for scholarships for the Honduran youth. She led an educational group of children to MarineLab in Key Largo, where they spent the days snorkeling and exploring. Whether she was serving as a teacher, volunteer, counselor or friend, she was a cheerleader, confidant and encourager to every one she met.
She was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in June 2014. She was treated at Moffitt Cancer Center and sends special thanks to Dr. Khaldoun Almhanna and his nurse Connie, as well as the many other doctors, nurses and medical technicians that treated her. During her cancer journey, with the support of family and many friends, the good and happy times outshined the fearful times. From the very beginning, it stayed in her heart that she had a wonderful and beautiful life. When she considered the world and the little place she occupied in it, she was very joyful and full of gratitude. She said, “We just keep moving forward, accepting that what lies ahead is unknown. God has a plan, and I am just called to walk it with grace, gratitude and joy.”
She is survived by her husband, John Hehn; son, Jonathan Hehn (Kysha); daughter, Maggie Hehn; grandchildren, Wellington, Alivia Sage and Joia; sisters, Peggy Laseter Lee and Betty Laseter Hehn; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Joel Brand Laseter; mother, Martha Moody Laseter; and sister, Patricia Laseter.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 1, at First Presbyterian Church, 404 W. Reynolds St., Plant City, Florida 33563.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Presbytery of Tampa Bay’s Honduras Scholarship Fund, 4704 Kelly Road, Tampa, Florida 33615, or to Moffitt Cancer Center for pancreatic cancer research at Moffitt.org.
Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.