Jean Rae Davis Jensen

Jean Rae Davis Jensen peacefully passed away at the age of 77 on December 9, 2024, at her home in Centerville, Utah. For two years, she fought the ravages of cancer, the side-effects of treatment, and Alzheimer’s.

Jean was born March 28, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the first child of Lamar S. Davis and Norma J. Sorensen. She was named after her grandfather Ray Sorensen, who did his very best to spoil his little girl. At the age of two, her parents bought a house in Bountiful, and there she was soon followed by her brother James, and sisters Jan and Joanne.

Jean grew up in Bountiful, attending Bountiful Elementary, South Davis Junior High School, and Bountiful High School, where she graduated in 1965. At Bountiful High, she exceled as a student, was involved in many extracurricular activities, and was a Junior Varsity and Varsity Cheer Leader.

She graduated from Weber State College in 1969 with a degree in secondary education, and for five years taught seventh grade English and literature at Millcreek Junior High. Her students adored her. It was at Weber State where she met her life’s companion Ted Jensen. They were married on August 7, 1969. While Jean taught school, Ted attended Weber State College, and finally graduated in 1972.

In 1974, Christopher was born on Jean’s 27th birthday. It was then that she decided to retire from teaching and become a full-time mother.

In 1976, Jean and Ted began building their house in Centerville. Lisa was born in June, two months before the house was completed. Then in a 1979 race to finish the upstairs bedrooms before the next baby was born, Stephen won the race. In 1981, Deborah calmly arrived to a finished home.

Jean’s children were always her highest priority. She gave her life to them. The dedicated school teacher and mother taught her children well. They all were readers by the age of four, all excellent students, all college graduates, and now all responsible, moral, and ethical adults.

Other than her children, her home and garden were her passions. She worked tirelessly to make them beautiful. Our family has lost its vivacious, selfless, and caring foundation. 

Jean was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James. She is survived by her husband Ted, children Christopher Jensen, Lisa-Marie Jensen (Davin Tayler), Stephen Jensen (Susan), and Deborah Miller (Jason), grandchildren Nina Miller and Teagan Miller, sisters Joanne Parrish (John), and Jan Davis. 

Our family would like to express our appreciation to Jean’s oncology team of doctors and nursing staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, to the University of Utah School of Dentistry, to the nurses and aides from Huntsman at Home Hospice Care, and to the wonderful people of Visiting Angels.

Finally, we would like to express our love and appreciation to the special friends and neighbors for their thoughtful, continuing acts of kindness. They are acknowledged as Jean’s Honorary Pallbearers.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to Huntsman Cancer Institute, or, Jean says, plant a tree.