Nira Jeanne Blair, 58, died Friday, August 2, 2013 after a sudden illness.

She was born June 23, 1955 and grew up in New Harmony, Indiana where she attended New Harmony High School and Indiana State University Evansville. She was an enthusiastic and dedicated worker, active in the community where she was loved so dearly.

Jeanne loved gardening and earned a master gardener certification. She spent many years in the Indiana school system as an educator, spoke fluent Spanish, and taught swimming lessons. Intellectually curious, she loved reading and working with her hands. An avid nature watcher, preservationist, and advocate, Jeanne loved to be outdoors more than inside; she was a constant observer, and could identify any plant by its botanical name. Jeanne loved to visit her family in Nashville, Tennessee and was an avid fan of country, folk, and bluegrass music and was a talented musician, who loved to sing and jam on the guitar. Most recently, she taught herself how to play an A-style mandolin. She was known as a kind, compassionate and reliable friend who put the concerns of others above her own.

She will be sorely missed by her loving sister and brother-in-law: Judy Blair Nix and Gene Nix, of Nashville, Tennessee; her precious niece: Emily Blair Nix and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Don Blair and Bettie Hooks Blair.

Arrangements were made by the Werry Funeral Home in New Harmony, Indiana.
Her life will be celebrated by family, friends, and the community, 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in New Harmony, Indiana. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Saint Stephen's Parrish Hall.