Jean Hallstead
Jean L. Hallstead, a Sanibel resident for 25 years, passed away on July 8, 2011 following a long illness. A native of Clarks Summit, Pa., she was a graduate of Cathedral School of St. Mary, Long Island, N.Y., and studied commercial art at Philadelphia’s Moore Institute, and the Modern School of Fashion and Design in Boston.
Married to William F. Hallstead III in 1948, she moved to Baltimore with her husband in the 1950s. Raising specimen orchids and unusual tropical plants in her greenhouse, she was an accredited teacher of the Sogetsu School of Japanese Flower Arranging, exhibiting in state and national flower shows. In 1990, Prospect Hill Press published her book, “Jean Hallstead’s Book of Centerpieces.” A lecturer on flower arranging, exotic house plants and bonsai, Jean was a past president of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland.
When she and Bill moved to Sanibel in 1986, she took an active interest in shell collecting, specializing in tree snails. With a parallel in horology, she served several terms as president of the Caloosa Chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
Jean was an avid volunteer for CROW, personally weaning more than 200 orphaned squirrels, and was a past president of their board.
She is survived by her husband; her son, William F. Hallstead IV of Cantonment, Fla.; and a daughter, Alyssa J. Hallstead of Reno, Nev.
Arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CROW, P.O. Box 150, Sanibel, FL 33957.