Jean P Fingar

Jean Fingar – A Life Well Lived

Jean P. Fingar passed from this life peacefully, October 9th, at Blue Palms Village in Tampa Florida, after reaching the age of 99 yrs, 10 months.

Jean was born, 4th of five children to parents Marcus and Eloise om December 28, 1926. The family moved to Tampa, Florida in 1928, starting out in Ballast Point and then moving to Temple Terrace. The kids grew up during the Great Depression. Love, artistic expression and ingenuity were a part of everyday life. (think the classic 1938 film “You Can’t Take It With You’) Their maternal grandfather insured that the girls always had dance and gymnastic lessons. They participated in home theater and local shows, starting when they were small and culminating with Jean participating in a stateside USO tour during WWII. After the war, she met and married Wallace and together they raised two children In the Tampa area.

Originally inspired by sister Jane, Jean discovered her lifelong love of teaching children. She taught kindergarten, intermittently while the kids were young, and then full time for the remainder of her career. She served many stints as a PTA president, one year serving at two schools simultaneously. Jean retired from her duel role as a kindergarten teacher and school director in1987.

In retirement Jean and Wallace moved to Lutz. She continued to enjoy gardening and became an important part of their new neighborhood. They traveled to visit friends and attend Wallace’s army reunions. After Wallace passed in 2010, Jean continued her church activities which were central to her entire adult life. In 2017 she moved to the then, John Knox Village and resided there through it’s two name changes for the rest of her life, making many new friendships and renewing some old ones as well.

Jean’s love of God, her family and others was evident to all who knew her, as she could light up a room with her smile. Her life has been an example to us all of how to live in this world and love those around us. As she gave of her time and energy to others and their children, her own family never felt slighted or relegated. The source of her love was unlimited. It was God’s Love.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband of 63yrs, Wallace (d. 2010), and four siblings (brothers Phillip and Bobbie, sisters Joanne and Jane). She is survived by her two children, Annette (Joe) and Roger (Lynda); five grandchildren, Joe, Jeff, Jeremy, Naomi and Nikolas; ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service, celebrating Jean’s life will be held at Loyless Funeral Home, 5310 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639, (813-996-6610) on Saturday November 14, 2026 at 2pm. Memorial Gathering will take place before the service 1:00 - 2:00pm.

Flowers are appreciated, but those who prefer may make a donation to the charity of choice, in Jean’s name.