Jeanette Noble Conger

Jeanette Noble Conger “Jan”, 87 of Akron, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her home on February 5, 2021. She was born in Fort Madison, Iowa on August 28, 1933 to Dr. Harold Frederick Noble and Frances Dudley Noble. Jeanette secured her undergraduate degrees from the University of Iowa (Phi Beta Kappa) and continued auditing classes in the arts and sciences throughout her life. While at the University of Iowa, she was a snare and tenor drummer in the University’s world-renowned Scottish Highlanders - an all-women’s marching bagpipe band that performed locally for sports events, participated nationally at festivals and music contests and famously toured overseas. In 1954, Jeanette married Dr. George T. Conger from Akron and subsequently moved to Ohio. Their partnership in marriage lasted for 55 years until George’s passing in 2010.

Jeanette was a true Renaissance woman known for her adventurous spirit, insatiable curiosity and her brilliant mind. Jeanette traveled the world and loved the opportunity to learn from other cultures across the globe. In the last ten years of her life, she visited Spain, Russia, Finland, Japan and the Sudan. She was an art connoisseur and collector, a film aficionado and lover of all forms of music. She had a passion for the symphony, chamber music and opera, often travelling to attend world class performances. Jeanette was a voracious reader and was one of few who read The New Yorker from cover-to-cover and her consumption of multiple daily newspapers included working the crosswords in ink in a matter of minutes. Her reading preferences in the last decade were focused on award-winning books on a broad range of topics. Athletic, she was a skier and hiker as well as a tennis player. She was a sought-after bridge partner. Most importantly, though, Jeanette had a genuine concern for others. She lived her life with humor, elegance, generosity and kindness for all.

Jeanette was mother to four daughters who survive her: Ann Tomlinson (Richard) of Chicago, IL; Susan Conger-Austin (Jim Austin) of Chicago, IL; Janne Motter (Jon) of Plano, TX; and Nancy Ockene (Brad) of Salt Lake City, UT and grandmother to Richard, John, Tanner, Sam, James, John, William and Kate. Jeanette is also survived by her brother-in-law Sidney Conger (Jean) of Houston, TX and nieces Karen Welton (Bill) of Houston, TX and Julie Enis (Bart) also of Houston Texas; her sister-in-law, Marjorie Harkins of Dublin, OH and nephews Dan Harkins of Springfield, OH and Tim Harkins (Holly) of Carmel, IN as well as niece Diane Modesett (David) of Houston, TX. She also leaves behind her beloved nephews Dr. Jeffrey Noble (Susan) of Akron and David Noble (Leslie) of Rockwall, TX and thirteen grand nieces and nephews and four great grand nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband George, she was predeceased by her parents and brother Dr. Dudley Harold Noble. Jeanette’s compassion for others, quick wit and wise counsel will be sorely missed.

A celebration of Jeanette’s life will be held at a future date. To share a memory or send a condolence, please visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com