Jean Conger Atherton

Jean Conger Atherton, 91, of Beverly Hills, MI and Hilton Head, SC died on Monday, February 6, 2017 at NHC-Bluffton.

Mrs. Atherton was born on May 21, 1925 in Cleveland, OH, the daughter of the late Paul Carnes Conger and Ellen Lucille Conger. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1947 where she met Neil Pierce Atherton. They married on January 31, 1948 in Lakewood, OH. Jean and Neil were volunteers for The Deep Well Project and the Hilton Head Humane Association on Hilton Head Island, SC. Delivering groceries to the locals in need or walking dogs at the Humane Association was what made Jean happy. Since coming to Hilton Head in the late sixties, Jean adopted many dogs from the Hilton Head Humane Association and several from shelters in Michigan. She was especially devoted to adopting dogs that needed special attention because of their age or an illness. There was nothing Jean wouldn’t do to help an animal in need.

Mrs. Atherton is survived by her daughters, Paula Lucille Atherton and Andrea Ellen Atherton; grandson, Neil Jason Atherton and his wife Diana Atherton; great-granddaughter, Emma Grace Atherton; great-grandson, Neil Andrew Atherton; and her brother, Robert Conger.

The family will be receiving friends from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2017 at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors, 32515 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073.

The graveside funeral service will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hilton Head Humane Association, P.O. Box 21790, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925, www.hhhumane.org and The Deep Well Project, P.O. Box 5543, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938, www.deepwellproject.org