Oneonta - Jean Karin Jester, 74, was ushered into her savior's presence on Christmas Eve morning. She had been residing at Robinson Terrace Nursing Home in Stamford for the past 17 months. During this time, she longed to be freed from the ailments that afflicted her body and present with her Lord. He answered her prayers with the greatest Christmas present she could have been given. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Jean was born December 10, 1944 in Stamford, the daughter of Oliver and Juanita (Conklin) Fairbairn of Delancey. She grew up in Mt. Upton and graduated from Mt. Upton Central School. Jean then went to Binghamton Business School obtaining a secretary's degree. She was married in December of 1965. Jean worked for SUNY Oneonta for 33 years as a secretary in various offices, the Graduate Office being the last. During these years, she raised her 3 daughters with great sacrifice, devotion, and love. Her greatest joy was knowing they had each received Christ as their savior, passing on the Christian heritage taught by her own mother.

During her lifetime, she has been a member of the Mount Upton Baptist Church, the Wells Bridge Baptist Church, the West End Community Baptist Church, and most recently the Fellowship Baptist Lighthouse Church.

She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Amy and Brian VanDewerker and Sara and Aaron Hillyard; grandchildren, Kyle, Nathan, Melinda (William), Cody, Jayden, Elijah, Elisabeth, Abigail, Judah, Samuel, Levi and; 4 great-grandchildren; her sister, Evelyn Haynes; 1 nephew; a sister-in-law, Linda Zaczek and a brother-in-law, Wayne Sheldon.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Karen McLean and her sister, Janet Fairbairn.

Visitation will be 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at the Fellowship Baptist Lighthouse Church, 1050 Covered Bridge Road, Unadilla.

Interment will be at Hamden Cemetery in the spring of 2019. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Fellowship Baptist Lighthouse Church or the Catskill Area Hospice.

Online condolences may be made at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by Oneonta's only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street.