On Sunday, April 16, 2023, Jean Haviland Denise Rue, mother of three sons, grandmother of ten and great-grandmother of five, passed away at age 90. She was preceded in death by her husband, former mayor of Fair Haven, William Conover Rue, Sr.
Jean was born at Riverview, during the depth of The Depression in 1933, on the day of the first presidential fireside chat by FDR. She was the only child of Edgar Vanderveer Denise and Dorothy Katherine Haviland. Jean was born prematurely weighing in at only 3 lbs and 14 oz. Doctors told her father that neither she nor her mother would survive; both women would live into their 90s.
Jean grew up in Fair Haven. She was a fount of Fair Haven history. Her father served 17 years as the mayor and her husband, Bill, would later serve as mayor and borough administrator. She grew up on the banks of the Navesink River, loved the area and lived all her life there. Jean was a proud graduate of Rumson High School (before it became regionalized) and furthered her education at Centenary College, graduating in 1953.
Soon afterwards, in 1954, Jean married her husband and began their family. They would go on to raise their sons in her hometown of Fair Haven. “Number Three Son” and his wife would also raise their children in Fair Haven – making it the third generation to attend Fair Haven and graduate (then regionalized) Rumson–Fair Haven Regional High School. Jean was very proud of this. Jean was also proud of her volunteerism in local endeavors, most notably as co-chairwoman of the Junior League Follies. She also served as classroom mother where she would welcome students to their home on McCarter’s Pond to enjoy an afternoon out of the classroom.
Jean is survived by her three sons and their wives all living locally: William C. Rue Jr. and Maria Perez, Brian D. and Kathleen C. Rue, and Jacob B. and Carolyn P. Rue. She is survived by her ten grandchildren, affectionately calling her “Grandma Jolly”: William III, Jonathan, Christopher, Bethany, Katherine, Thomas, Jacob, Margaret, James and Michael. At the time of her passing she had five great grandchildren to carry on her legacy.
The family thanks the dedicated staff of Brandywine at the Sycamore in Shrewsbury for their many years of tending and providing comfort to Jean.
Jean loved animals and kept many pets during her life. She loved her dog, Moo Shu, who served as a loyal companion following her husband’s passing. Jean asked that donations be made to the SPCA of Eatontown in memory of the many pets she had.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 18th from 5-7 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 19th at 10 am at the funeral home.
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