ATHENS, Ohio – Dr. Jean Drevenstedt, 98, of Athens passed away at Hickory Creek Nursing Center, Brookside
Unit, The Plains, on March 22, 2026. She was born July 13, 1927, in Louisville, Kentucky to Edward and Suretta Drevenstedt.
After graduating from Indiana University where she majored in Business Administration, she worked at an advertising agency for nine years then made a career change and earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University. Following a year in Denver, Colorado working at the Childrens’ Asthma Research Institute, she moved to Athens in 1965.
After working in both the Psychology Department of Ohio University and the Counseling Center at the university for about two years, she then taught in the Psychology Department exclusively, ultimately becoming one of two tenured women in the department and developing an interest in the Psychology of Aging. Additionally, Dr. Drevenstedt assisted in setting up an aging center in Athens which evolved into the United Seniors of Athens County.
She also participated in developing multi-disciplinary approaches to aging with other human service departments at Ohio University, and for a time served as Clinical Director in the Psychology Department. Retiring in 1995 after 30 years of service at the university, she received the Ohio Women in Psychology Lifetime Achievement Award and became a Professor Emeritus.
She was a former Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens and at the time of her demise was the oldest living member of the church. Her social clubs, the Athens County Republican Party and the Ohio Health O’Bleness Hospital Guild were also important to her. As a retiree, she volunteered time as a board member with both the United Seniors of Athens County and the Athens Village and was involved with the Emeriti Association. Her interests extended to animals as well. Any neighborhood cat who was in need of a permanent home and showed up on her doorstep found a home with Jean.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Lee, and her beloved niece, Sue Ansley. She is survived by her nephew Gary (Judy) Drevenstedt of Utah and his two sons Greg and Paul and their wives, all of California. Jean was an intelligent, dignified, energetic, warm and gracious woman and will be missed by her many friends and church members.
A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Athens with Rev. Robert Martin officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky at a later date. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens. Please share a memory, a note of condolence
or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.