Jean Carle, born Jean Nanette Van Slooten, August 19, 1924, passed away peacefully Monday, April 15, 2013. (Yes, she filed her taxes on time.) She was surrounded by family and devoted friends during her last hours in her home. Her wonderful, dry wit was with her until the last hours.

She was the only child of Agnes Burk and Wick Van Slooten, but dearly loved her childhood years spent in the Simi Valley of California in the company of her cousins.

She attended art school, but felt she was needed to help in the World War II effort. She joined the Navy WAVs, and served as a mapmaker in Washington, DC, helping with a plan for the Pacific actions in 1944.

She worked in Los Angeles for an advertising company, designing many unique greeting cards and advertisements for newspapers and billboards. She spent many happy years working as the bookkeeper and advertising contact for a large dairy in Chatsworth, CA.

Coming to Salado in 1993 to enjoy retirement in the company of her cousin, Susan Stockton, Jean became an energetic force in founding the Humane Society of Salado. She dedicated her time to helping find homes for hundreds of neglected and abandoned animals. Some may remember her feeding the ducks in the evenings by the bridge on Salado Creek. Her extra-special love of cats warmed all our hearts.

Jean’s cousins include Sally Bateman, Bill Burk, Joann Jensen, and Randy Hayes in California, Cary Hayes of Salado, and John Stockton, III of Michigan.

Special thanks to the wonderful angels at Scott and White Hospice.

Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Salado Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the SPCA of Bell County, the City of Temple Animal Shelter. or the animal protection agency of your choice.