Jean Oates
July 18, 1944 – December 17, 2022
Valencia– Jean Oates passed away at Henry Mayo Hospital on Saturday, December 17th, 2022 from complications of Crohn’s disease. She was born on July 18th, 1944 and grew up in Manhattan Beach, California. Jean was the daughter of Joseph and Freda Littlefield and grew up alongside her sister Kathleen and brother Tom. Her brother, Paul, died before she was born. Long, sunny days at the beach as a child and teen, fueled Jean’s lifelong love of the ocean. It was a “happy place” for her.
Jean graduated from Aviation High School in Manhattan Beach and attended University of Arizona for one year before her marriage at 19 years old to William “Bill” Oates on August 31st, 1963. Determined to defy the expectations of the day, she continued her education to receive a bachelor’s degree from California State College at Fullerton and a teaching credential from Chapman College. She lived in Newport Beach and Moraga, California before moving to Valencia.
Jean and Bill weathered the ups and downs of life together, nurturing a family that was full of love, laughter, celebration and adventure. Both Jean and Bill made a decision to follow Jesus in their twenties and with prayer and intentionality passed on the truths of God to their children and grandchildren. Jean drew great strength from her faith in God and in his promises. She loved to find imaginative ways to bless the people in her life.
Jean had three children and four grandchildren for whom she displayed unconditional love and encouragement. From her seat at the kitchen table, Jean chatted about the simple details of life and offered loving support during life’s challenges. She was unfailingly interested in every aspect of their lives.teaching was a passion for Jean and after raising her children she went back to the classroom, most recently as a teacher at Stevenson Ranch Elementary School. An inquisitive person, Jean viewed every child as uniquely talented and worked to make learning an adventure.
Jean is survived by her sister, Kathleen Camacho of Arvada Colorado, her children, Kelly Naughton (Chris), Deron Oates (Marjorie), Kortney Taylor (Tim) and grandchildren Jake (Alexandra), Katherine, Conner and Chloe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Oates, parents Joseph and Freda Littlefield and her brothers, Thomas and Paul Littlefield.
Jean will be forever missed by her adoring family, close friends and those in her community who were touched by her spunky personality and warm smile.
A double celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 25th at 10 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 22833 Copper Hill Dr, Santa Clarita, CA, for both Jean and her husband, Bill, who passed away during covid.