Jean attended Kenowa Hills High School and Grand Rapids Community College, and was a graduate of the University of Michigan. She studied at the National Theatre in London, England, deepening her knowledge and appreciation of theater and bringing those experiences back to her students and colleagues.

After graduating from college, Jean taught at Lake Odessa Public Schools. She then returned to Grand Rapids where she worked at a local advertising agency, Johnson & Dean as well as in the offices of the Civic Theatre, and the Grand Rapids Arts Council, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. She taught part time at Grand Rapids Community College, led an Actor’s Workshop for several years, and taught at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, for 26 years. At Hope College she taught English and worked in the theater department, giving classes at all levels. She acted, directed, narrated, wrote, taught, and contributed to virtually every aspect of theatrical production. For Jean theater was not simply a profession, it was a way of connecting with people, telling stories, and bringing words to life.

Jean started her career with Circle Theatre as the summer stage manager. She made many appearances performing with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre starting in the 1970s, acting in The Sound of Music, The Music Man, Cyrano De Bergerac and My Fair Lady among others. She also worked at the professional Boarshead Theatre in Lansing and was hired for the grand opening of the Redford Theatre in Detroit.

In 1981 she became a founding member of Actors’ Theatre and took leading roles as well as becoming resident playwright, stage director and a member of the board of directors. Her most recent acting roles were at Actors’ Theatre in August:Osage County, Other Desert Cities, and in the lead role in Paradise Lost, playing Satan.

Her creativity reached beyond the stage. Jean had a beautiful singing voice. She coached the Women’s Choir at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids. Jean was among those who developed a children’s program called Come On Over, produced by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and featuring Jean as Grandma Zippy, with guest appearances by Luis Avalos, Ruth Buzzi and Fred Willard, among others. She brought her love of storytelling and performance to young audiences. Jean also worked on industrial films, including projects with Dick Van Dyke, and she lent her voice narrating audiobooks. She led a writer’s group, was a student of yoga and was politically active. As a long time member of Fountain Street Church, she was asked to serve a term on the board. Jean lent her expertise in literature as the leader of the Fountain Street Church Book Club.

Our sympathy is extended to Jean’s husband, David Bahle of Suttons Bay, as he mourns the loss of his partner and the love of his life. He is joined in his grief by family and friends in Suttons Bay as well as in Grand Rapids.

Jean kept up many friendships, some dating back to her years attending Kenowa Hills High School and Grand Rapids Community College. She touched so many lives in a positive, caring, confirming way. We are better people for having known her.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents and sister Rebecca Reed Emmerich.

Remembering Jean fondly are her brother David Reed (Mary), and sister Katherine Reed McCartney; nieces and nephews Nataly Reed (Alex Schweig), Mika Reed and Marcus Reed (Virginia Fry), and Michael and Madison Emmerich, as well as grand-nephews Ian and Isaac Reed, and the many extended Reed family cousins.

David and Jean remain members of Fountain Street Church, and there will be a memorial service at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, on November 8 at 3:30. A later memorial will be held in Suttons Bay on November 15, at 3:00 pm at the Friendship Community Center, 201 W Broadway, Suttons Bay. Cremation has taken place.

Remember Jean with a contribution to FSC Community Arts and Events Fund, Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. 100% of these funds support emerging community artists, performers, and ensembles. Or, as Jean was a founding member of Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids. It is also suggested that contributions could be made to that organization at 160 Fountain Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Please share condolences with Jean’s family and friends at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.