Jean Hobaugh Lessig, age 92, was called home to her Heavenly Father on June 5, 2015 at Tryon Estates medical facility in Columbus, N.C. Born on December 2, 1922, in East McKeesport, Pa., she was the daughter of Jessie Smith (Ferguson) and John Joseph Hobaugh. She married Donald Phillmore Lessig in 1947 and they remained blissfully married for almost 68 years.

Jean grew up in North Huntingdon, Pa., played the piano at Miller Methodist Church, was active in Methodist Youth, sang in the Sunday School Choir and graduated in 1940 from Norwin High School. She supported her husband’s college studies and prior to marriage worked as a book keeper at Westinghouse and later at private companies in Pittsburgh, Pa., until she was expecting their first child.

Jean was a loving wife and mother. She adapted well to frequent household moves within the U.S. and overseas, including three years in Venezuela and seven years in Spain, as well as Pittsburgh, Orlando, Philadelphia, Houston, San Diego, Denver and finally, Columbus, N.C.  Jean was famous for her gourmet cooking, adopting cuisine from their travels and incorporating them into family traditions. While in Pennsylvania, she was a member of the Eastern Star, active in the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and sang in church choirs. In later years, she was active in the Denver Assistance League.

In 1986, Jean began quilting, which became a lifelong passion.  She created nearly 200 handmade quilts, several of which won awards in quilt shows.  She was also active in the local quilt guilds in Kingwood, Texas and Landrum, S.C. After her husband’s retirement, Jean and Don moved to Tryon Estates in Columbus, N.C. For many years, she organized the display of quilts at Tryon Estates and became known as the “Quilt Lady.” In addition to quilting, Jean enjoyed playing bingo, singing in their Christmas Chorus and travelling the globe with her husband on cruises to the South Pacific, Alaska, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Joyce Elaine (Tyson) Parks and Joan Kathleen (Jack) Hildenbrand and infant siblings Jessie and David. Jean is survived by her husband, Donald Phillmore Lessig; sister Eleanor Mae Hobaugh, of Pittsburgh, Pa., brother John William (Regina – deceased) Hobaugh, of Warrington, Pa.; four children, Donald Keith (Carol Renee Breed) Lessig of Gretna, La., Pamela Jean Lessig of Brownstown, Pa., Wendy Sue Lessig of Tooele, Utah, and Donna Ellen Tracy of Littleton, Colo.; five grandchildren, Brian Keith Lessig, Andrew Kyle (Krystle Lynn Bentel) Lessig, Rachel Renee Lessig, Sara Tracy and Shannon Tracy; and two great-granddaughters, Alaina and Kandace Lessig.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held in the auditorium of Tryon Estates on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 2 p.m. Please no flowers. Memorial gifts may be made to the Laurel Lake Music Society at Tryon Estates.

Cremains to be interned at Denmark Manor Cemetery near Export, Pa. Condolences may be made at www.AshevilleMortuaryServices.com.