Jean Kennedy Forrest | Admissions director, 82

Jean Kennedy Forrest, 82, of West Chester, retired director of admissions at the Baldwin School and a community volunteer, died of pancreatic cancer Sept. 11 at Paoli Hospital.

Mrs. Forrest graduated from the Baldwin School, a private girls' academy in Bryn Mawr, and earned a bachelor's degree from Smith College. In 1953 she married Robert Forrest, an architect.

While raising a family, she spent many hours with other mothers at the Martin's Dam Swim Club in Wayne, where their children were on the swim team. The women chatted while working on needlecraft projects and earned the nickname "The Stitch 'n Bitch Club." They stayed good friends after their children were grown, said Mrs. Forrest's daughter, Allison Gergely.

When her daughter entered eighth grade at Baldwin, Mrs. Forrest helped in the library and office, then was director of admissions for eight years. After retiring in 1984, she continued to volunteer at the school. She received the school's Centennial Award in 1988 for her service.

Mrs. Forrest also volunteered for the American Red Cross in Wayne, the Wharton Esherick Museum in Tredyffrin, the Neighborhood League consignment shop in Wayne, and the library of the Wayne Presbyterian Church, where she was a lifelong member. She was a scheduling coordinator for the Dolphins of Delaware Valley, who visit residents in retirement and nursing homes.

In addition to her husband and daughter, Mrs. Forrest is survived by sons David and Robert and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at Wayne Presbyterian Church, 125 E. Lancaster Ave.