Jean Ellen (Crow) Morgan

Morgan, Jean MADISON - Jean Ellen (Crow) Morgan, age 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2015, surrounded by family, with the comfort of knowing she led a blessed, full life serving her family, church and community. Jean was born on April 25, 1925, in Kenosha, the daughter of Lucile and Frank Crow. She attended North Park College (Chicago) and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Northwestern University. On July 14, 1951, she married Norman Morgan, also from Kenosha. Together they raised four children in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Janesville, and Ann Arbor, Mich. Jean's passion for music was lifelong. Inspired by her beloved aunt, Gladys Nohling, and encouraged by her mother, she began piano lessons at age seven. Performing recitals, teaching piano students, and accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists for religious services, receptions and sing-a-longs, she was never without a song to play. Also a talented singer, she shared her lovely voice in numerous choirs at church, college, with the University of Michigan Choral Union, and the Madison Symphony Chorus. Jean knew well what the poet Walter Savage Landor expressed: "Music is God's gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven." Jean's Christian faith was a central pillar of her life. Outside of family events, her social life revolved around church functions, including Methodist youth fellowship, church camps, teaching youth, participating in Bible studies, and providing meals for homeless people. As a resident of Capitol Lakes, Jean played an integral role in the spiritual life of that community, providing music for worship services and devotions, often several times a week. Jean is survived by her brother, Robert Crow of Golden Valley, Minn.; her children, Robert Morgan (Cathy Petrini) of Alexandria, Va., David Morgan (Chris Belding) of Sparta, Mich., LuAnn Williams (Harold Williams) of East Lansing, Mich., and Charles Morgan (Lynn Morgan) of Madison; and by her five grandchildren, Kyla, Sarah, Logan, Rachael and Jon Morgan. A service will be held at a time to be determined, on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison. An obituary, with the times, will be published at a later date. The family would like to thank the outstanding staff at Oakwood Village's Tabor Oaks and Covenant Oaks, and Agrace HospiceCare for the loving care they all provided to Jean. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to First United Methodist Church in Madison, or to the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Avenue (608)831-6761