Jean, the eldest daughter of Ethel Mae nee Ollerdessen Gallop and Herbert Byron Gallop was born on June 28, 1923 in Shanghai, China and passed peacefully on Dec. 16, 2017 in Anacortes, Washington.

Jean was predeceased by her husband John Schuster of Lopez Island, Washington and her siblings George Gallop of Sunset Beach, North Carolina; Claire Overton of Patchogue, New York; and Herbert B. Gallop Jr. of South River, New Jersey. Also her beloved cousin Madeline Poston of Columbus, Ohio and best friend, Stubby Crowe of Greenwich, Connecticut. Jean is survived and beloved by her nieces and nephews Susan Barnhart, Lynn Monahan, Walter Overton, Russ and Richard Gallop, Carole Matriciano and Jill Atchison and many great- and great-great nieces and nephews. Along with sisters-in-laws Marge and Lois Gallop. Her stepchildren Jeanette Ramos of Bountiful, Utah; Marjean (E.Wm.) Thomson of New River, Arizona; and David (Terri) Schuster of Tully, New York; along with 24 grandchildren and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In 1940 Jean was fortunate to have just graduated from the American School in Shanghai China before the family was forced to flee due to political unrest. At the tender age of 15 she was accepted into Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After graduating she settled in Detroit to start her career in social work which she loved. It was there she met her future husband John. After marrying at the family retreat in Lempster, New Hampshire they made their home in Richland, Washington. They loved their vacation home on Lopez Island and eventually retired there. Jean remained there after John’s passing in 1993 until her move to Chandler Square in Anacortes, Washington in 2015.

Jean was an avid reader with a thirst for knowledge. She enjoyed lively debates with friends and family as well as discussions with her book club. She also loved arts and crafts especially origami, which helped her remain connected with her Asian roots. She delighted in her class reunions with classmates and friends from the American School and Radcliffe. She cherished her relationships and made many endearing friendships which lasted decades. She was the glue that held her family together, she truly loved them and always made sure she stayed in touch. Her family could always count on her holiday phone calls in which she took the time to connect with the younger generation. She always made everyone feel important.

She was a wonderful woman and friend as well as a kind and loving aunt and stepmother. She will be terribly missed, always loved and forever in our hearts. Her life was truly enriched by the friendship, love and patience of extended family members Carl Poston of Oregon, George Poston of Seattle and Kathy Crowe Finholm of Friday Harbor. A memorial will be held at the convenience of the family. Please make donations to the Lopez Library, PO Box 770, Lopez Island, WA 98261.