“Jean grew up in Fair Haven. She was a fount of Fair Haven history. Her father served 17 years as the mayor and her husband, Bill, would later serve as mayor and borough administrator. She grew up on the banks of the Navesink River, loved the area and lived all her life there. Jean was a proud graduate of Rumson High School (before it became regionalized) and furthered her education at Centenary College, graduating in 1953. Soon afterwards, in 1954, Jean married her husband and began their family. They would go on to raise their sons in her hometown of Fair Haven.

“‘Number Three Son’ and his wife would also raise their children in Fair Haven — making it the third generation to attend Fair Haven (schools) and graduate (then regionalized) Rumson–Fair Haven Regional High School. Jean was very proud of this. Jean was also proud of her volunteerism in local endeavors, most notably as co-chairwoman of the Junior League Follies. She also served as classroom mother where she would welcome students to their home on McCarter’s Pond to enjoy an
afternoon out of the classroom.

“Jean was born at Riverview Medical Center, during the depth of The Depression in 1933, on the day of the first presidential fireside chat by FDR. She was the only child of Edgar Vanderveer Denise and Dorothy Katherine Haviland. Jean was born prematurely weighing in at only 3 lbs and 14 oz. Doctors told her father that neither she nor her mother would survive.
Both women would live into their 90s.”  

Loved ones of Jean Haviland Denise Rue in her obituary