Obituary of Jean Gledhill Rawls

Jean Gledhill Rawls, a 78 year resident of Darien, died peacefully on August 16th at the age of 98. She was the mother of Nancy Rawls Dauk, wife of the late Peter John Dauk of New Canaan and mother of Cotton Rawls, Jr, and the late John Gledhill Rawls who died May 21, 1959. She was the wife of the late Dr. Cotton Rawls, Chief of Surgery at Stamford Hospital from 1950 through1966. Born to Lillian Beardsley and John C. Gledhill on May 2, 1912 in New York City she graduated from Wells College in Aurora N. Y. in 1934, after which she attended the New York School of Social Work. As a child, she loved her summers spent on Hay Island in Darien with her parents. She met her future husband after suffering an appendicitis at college and having been taken to Lenox Hill Hospital where Dr. Cotton Rawls, from Franklin, Virginia served as an intern. They were married on a snowy evening on December 21, 1935 in the Noroton Presbyterian Church Chapel. After joining the church on May 27, 1932, she became a dedicated and energetic member. Last year she was honored as the oldest living member of Noroton Presbyterian Church where she served two terms as an Elder, was Chairman of the Missions Committee, President of the Women's Guild and was instrumental in organizing the Circle Programs within the Guild in 1958. She also served on two search committees researching ministerial candidates. She faithfully attended the 8:00 AM Sunday service in her beloved Chapel as well as the 8:00 AM summer services at Weed Beach. During World War II, Jean Rawls began her volunteer work at Stamford Hospital, a dedication which would span the years until this decade. The hospital recognized her notable contribution at special celebration attended by her proud family. She was a long term member of the Stamford Junior League serving as chairman of numerous committees and active in PEO Chapter E. She was a past member of Wee Burn Country Club. She had a life-long love of Long Island Sound and swam from Darien out to Green's Ledge Lighthouse as a teenager. A competitive diver and beautiful and graceful swimmer, she was always at home in the water and performed breathtaking dives well into her '80's. Her passion for the water often led her to the old Hickory Bluff Store in Rowayton where she rented motorboats perfect for picnics and excursions with her young family. Her highest priorities were her church and family, both of which always received a warm and loving welcome into her home. In addition to her daughter and son, she is survived by her grandchildren, who greatly loved her and knew her as "Bomba." Family members include Jennifer (Jinsey) Gledhill Dauk, her husband James Howland Gellert, and their son Hutchinson Howland Gellert; Peter Stephens Dauk, and his wife Tiffany and their children Ariel, Brittyn Noelle, Morgan Krystine and Nathan Peter; and John Rawls Dauk, his wife Sandra and their children, John Rawls Dauk, Jr. and Lindsey Vanderbuilt Dauk. A memorial service in celebration of Mrs. Rawls' life will take place at Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road, Darien, CT at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 21st. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donation in her memory may be made to Noroton Presbyterian Church, Memorial Fund, 2011 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820