Jeanne Asher Dorward

Jeanne (Jean) Asher Dorward of Trumansburg, NY passed away peacefully at the age of 71 on February 21, 2025 after a brief illness and complications from ongoing health conditions. In her final days she was surrounded by her loving family and kept comfortable by the incredible medical staff at Cayuga Medical Center ICU.  

Jean was born August 26, 1953 in Ithaca, NY to Wally and Helen Rogers. After graduating from Ithaca High School she attended Cazenovia College, earning an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. While her children were young, Jean ran a family day care out of her home for ten years. She enjoyed crafting and baking with the daycare kids and setting up grand Halloween scenes in the front yard for trick or treaters to enjoy. One memorable year she even dressed as the "Daycare Mummy" and jumped out of a coffin! Upon closing her daycare, Jean returned to school and earned an Associate in Paralegal Services. Her later career was peppered with a variety of jobs often in the human service field. She ultimately landed back to working with children and served as a teacher’s aide in several districts throughout the area, ending her working career with Ithaca City Schools. 

Jean had a green thumb and enjoyed tending to her plants inside and flower beds outside, taking great pride in the aesthetics of her home. She was talented in cross stitch, gifting many beautiful pieces to families that hang on walls to this day. Jean enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: a nice meal at Falls Tavern, holiday gatherings with family, and a good party celebrating someone's birthday. Although her final years were met with heath struggles and the loss of her eldest daughter, she kept her wit and humor well into her final days. 

Jean is survived by her daughters Kathryn (Andy) King and Melissa (David) Dorward-Bauman; she was Gg to Jack, Jacob, Ella, Sofi, and Bria. She is also survived by her sister Judy (Chip) Wood; nephews Lee and Tim (Amelia) Wood, and brother John Rogers. Jean was predeceased by her parents Wally and Helen Rogers and her eldest daughter, Amanda Nivison. 

The family is grateful for care provided by her home health aide, Visiting Nurse Services, and Cayuga Medical Center.

No calling hours will be held and a private burial with family will occur at a later date.