Obituary of Jean Annette Laferty

Jean Annette Laferty ~ 79 Vancouver, Washington February 14, 1937 ~ December 25, 2016 Jean Laferty, a former longtime resident of Eugene, OR., died on December 25th, 2016 at her home in Vancouver, WA of age-related causes. Jean was born February 14th, 1937 in Hood River Oregon to Dorothy and Lloyd Millhollen Jr. She married George Hemphill, Jr. in 1955 and they had two children, a son, Rick, and daughter, Kate. In 1968 she remarried to Arnold Laferty, who had two daughters, Kathryn and Julie. Jean was a graduate of the University of Oregon, where she studied at the School of Music, and later earned her degree in Education. She worked as a school teacher for the Eugene School District for more than 25 years, before retiring in 1995. Jean was an accomplished pianist and played in the orchestra for many of the summer musical productions in Eugene, including Brigadoon, Fiddler on the Roof, and Man of La Mancha. She also performed in dinner theater productions at the Treehouse Restaurant. Jean was an avid Oregon Ducks fan who enjoyed traveling, spending time with her cats, and gardening. Jean is survived by her son Rick Hemphill and three daughters, Kate Poffenroth, Kathryn Laferty and Julie Breit, as well as her brothers Gary and Michael Millhollen. Jean had five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on January 29th at the Hostess House, 10017 NE 6th Ave., Vancouver, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University of Oregon School of Music.