Jean Weiller
SARASOTA - Jean Anne (Duckworth) Weiller, 89, of Sarasota, FL, passed away on April 21, 2024 surrounded by dear friends, daughter Donna Tracy Pickup and loyal companion GiGi aka “The Cat”. Jean was born in Fall River, MA to Chester and Alice (Gifford) Duckworth on May 14,1934 during The Great Depression. Jean’s grandmother Susannah (Chapman) Duckworth played an integral role in her rearing after Jean’s father and Susannah’s son died while commandeering a boat as part of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary from Westport, MA to Fall River, MA during the 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane. Jean’s mother was disabled as a result of a bus accident. Jean grew up working poor in Fall River, MA, a cotton textile mill hub. Susannah supported the family by working in a textile mill sewing pockets on shirts and was paid per pocket at the end of each work day. These influential experiences informed the trajectory of Jean’s life.
Jean supported herself and paid for college by working full time and she graduated from Bradford Durfee College of Technology with a B.S. in Textile Science, Cum Laude. Jean was one of a few women in her graduating class and was the first member of her family to graduate from college. After graduating from college Jean made her way to the Big Apple to the chagrin of her grandmother. According to Susannah, nice girls didn’t move to New York City, especially on their own. Determined to forge her own way in life, Jean landed at the famed Barbizon Hotel and eventually settled in Brooklyn Heights, NY and secured a position as a Textile Designer with Springs Mills in New York City. Soon thereafter Jean was recruited by a startup, WeilWood Fabrics, Inc. to establish and manage their design studio. Jean’s creative vision and understanding of the ever changing and fiercely competitive fashion industry enabled her to produce successful textile lines season after season for 4 decades while at Weilwood Fabrics, Inc. Jean played a significant role in creating and establishing Fabric Country, Inc (FCI) a division of Weilwood
Fabrics, Inc. Jean’s vision and creativity also played an integral role in securing a licensing agreement with Charles Schultz’s Peanuts franchise for FCI. Jean’s textile designs were featured in the New York Times Fashion Section and in Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). Jean’s textile designs were often knocked off by her competitors which is a testament to her acumen.
Upon retirement Jean achieved certification as a Textile Conservator and Evaluator through The Textile Conservation Workshop (TCW) in South Salem, NY and used her certification to volunteer as the Textile and Housewares Conservator at Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, MA. Jean also studied nature printing and the art of Shibori, a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique. Jean was a volunteer Art Teacher at the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota and taught Nature Printing & Painting on Silk at Selby Gardens in Sarasota, FL. At the time of Jean’s passing she was a Trustee at the Sarasota Ballet.
Jean married twice, ultimately enjoying the autonomy single life afforded her in her golden years.
Jean was predeceased by her brother Harold Duckworth and nephew Richard Duckworth.
Jean’s quick wit, cheekiness and stoicism carried her through the end of her life. Although Jean did not make it officially to her 90th birthday, we think she made it to 90.
Jean’s daughter Donna is eternally grateful for the bevy of dynamic individuals who cared and advocated for Jean during the last 8 years of her life.
In accordance with Jean’s wishes there will not be a service and Jean will be cremated. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota, Sarasota Ballet or a mental health organization of your choosing.
Condolences may be shared at www.rtsfunerals.com Palms Chapel.