Jean Forester Marler

Jean Forester Marler passed away on August 23, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Jean was born on July 7, 1945 in Harlan County Kentucky to Charlie and Stella Forester. She was the fourth of five children. Growing up in a large family, Jean made sure to stand out. She was bold, she was funny, and she brought light and laughter everywhere she went.

After her dad died, Jean moved with her family to Lake City, Tennessee, where she graduated from Lake City High School. Jean then went on to get her Registered Nursing degree from Appalachian Regional Hospitals School of Professional Nursing. She later obtained a Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of California in Los Angeles. Jean practiced for many years as a Nurse Practitioner with an OB/GYN group in Oak Ridge, where she brought her humor, generous spirit and zest for life to care for her many patients.

In addition to her fulfilling career, Jean had a very lively and independent spirit and an adventurous soul. She lived her life to the fullest. She loved to travel. After college she backpacked through Europe with friends, went on white water rafting trips, bungee-jumped and parasailed at the beach. She sparkled and shined wherever she went. She will be missed. 

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Donn Marler, her sister Eunice Forester Turner and brother-in-law Gene Turner, and her parents. She is survived by sisters Lois Hall (Bill), Evelyn Jackson (Joe), and brother Bill Forester (Evelyn), nephews Ed, Chris, Scott, Jody and Jamie, and niece Jenny, all of whom she was very proud. She is also survived by her several close life-long friends, including Pam Cox, Mary Anne Brickner, Linda Neal and Judy Boone.

Her absence will be felt by all. but her memory and spirit will live on in the laughter and love memories of her will bring.

A funeral service will be held for Jean on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM and will be receiving friends from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City, followed by interment at Oak Grove Cemetery close to her mother immediately after. The family welcomes donations to the Parkinson's Foundation as an expression of sympathy instead of flowers. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to all of the caregivers at Northshore Heights Assisted Living and Shalom Hospice.