Jeanne A. Preston-Horvath

Jeanne A. Preston-Horvath passed away peacefully and quietly in the presence of her loving husband on September 29, 2017 in Naples, Florida.

Born Jeanne Andrée DeCourville in 1931, she grew up and attended school in Akron, Ohio. After graduating high school Jeanne worked as a certified LPN in a hospital maternity ward. She later attended American Airlines Flight Stewardess Corps and earned her wings in 1954. She received letters of commendation eventually earning ‘gold’ status in 1960. After five challenging and fulfilling years, meeting numerous celebrities and visiting many beautiful places, she settled down to raise a wonderful family in South Orange, NJ with her first husband, Joseph W. Preston.

Jeanne was a dedicated and devoted homemaker who always put her children first. She loved to volunteer in many capacities, including serving as school librarian and hosting multiple community fundraisers for charitable organizations. She was a devout Catholic, taught CCD at Our Lady of Sorrows, and was inducted as a Lady of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

Her thirst for knowledge led her to attend classes at Seton Hall University and careers in business administration for a New Jersey law firm as well as a French wine merchant.

Jeanne was outgoing, athletic and very artistic. She had exquisite taste in decorating and fashion, and enjoyed tennis, ballroom dancing and long walks collecting shells on her treasured beach in Pelican Bay.

A lifelong American Airlines ‘Kiwi’, Jeanne married George Horvath in 2007 during a unique ceremony in the cockpit of a DC-3 vintage airliner at the Florida International Airshow. Jeanne and George were happiest spending quality time with family and friends, whether dancing to big-band music, fall trips to enjoy the changing foliage, or sunset dinner/drinks at Pelican Bay beach hoping to catch a glimpse of the ‘green flash’ on the horizon.

She will be sincerely missed by her family and friends, and all whose lives have been touched by her love and kindness.

Jeanne is survived by her loving and devoted husband George Horvath and 5 beloved children, Dr. Mary Preston-Hardesty, Patrice A. Sullivan (Jim), Joseph W. Preston Jr. (Celeste), Steven P. Preston (Debbie), and James E. Preston. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Sarah Hardesty McAvinue (John), Patricia Amirault (Sean), Angela Hardesty Cahall (Ben), J.T. Sullivan, Madeleine Sullivan, Julia Preston, Alexander Preston, Ryan Preston and Kevin Preston and great-grandchildren Olivia and Lida McAvinue and Rigby Amirault.

A funeral mass will be offered at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 9th at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Avenue North, Naples, FL 34108. A private interment will immediately follow in the memorial garden.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in the memory of “Jeanne A. Preston-Horvath” to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Donations may be sent to 625 111th Avenue North, Naples, FL 34108 Attn: Karen Beebee.

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