Obituary of Jean Gotolski

Jean Gotolski was born Carmer Jean George on October 18, 1925 in Fairmont, West Virginia to Carmer Dallas George and James Thomas George.  She attended West Fairmont High School and graduated in 1947 from Fairmont State College with a B.S. in Physical Education.  In 1949, Jean earned her M.S. in Physical Education from West Virginia University.  She taught swimming at Ohio University from 1948 to 1952 and was responsible for annual synchronized swimming shows.  It was at Ohio University that Jean met her husband, William H. Gotolski.  They were married on June 9, 1951 in Fairmont, West Virginia.

 “Mrs. G”, as she was fondly known, taught in the State College Area Schools for 25 years teaching elementary physical education and retiring in 1993.

Jean was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher, a Vestry member, and as Chairperson of the Parishioners Ministry Committee.  She volunteered at Reach to Recovery, and Park Forest Day Nursery school.  Also, Jean was the treasurer of the Blue Course Ladies League and a member of the Penn State Faculty Women’s Club.

Jean resided at the Village of Penn State.  The family is forever grateful to the caring and compassionate staff of the Atrium for the past 2 years.

She is survived by the loves of her life: two daughters, Ann Gotolski Koerber (Mike) of Chapel Hill, NC, and Carol Gotolski Thronson (Teresa) of Bulverde, TX; her grandsons Dr. JT Koerber (Dr. Sarah Gilmore) of San Mateo, CA, Drew Koerber of Chicago, IL, and Dr. Ben Koerber of Newark, NJ; and her great grandson Blake Koerber of San Mateo, CA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Park Forest Preschool at parkforestpreschool.org.

Future plans for a celebration of Jean’s life will be arranged by her family after the current health restrictions have eased.