Obituaries

Jeanne Dousman Vielbig

Jeanne Dousman Vielbig

Jeanne Dousman Vielbig, a longtime resident of the East End, died at Eastern Long Island Hospital, just before first light, August 17, 2011, three weeks shy of her 98th birthday.

Born September 11, 1913, in Kansas City, Mo., to Jeanette and Donald James Dousman, she was the eldest of their three children.

A lifetime learner, she entered the University of Kansas at 16, from which she graduated. Her enthusiasm for knowledge never waned.

She married Leonard E. Vielbig, who predeceased her in 1984 after more than 50 years together. They raised three children, Patricia Hubbard of Cincinnati, Ohio, Peter, of Shelter Island, N.Y., and Roger, of Yakima, Wash., instilling them with the love of nature and all things connected with the water. She lived in North Haven for 45 years before moving to Peconic Landing in Greenport in 2004. For many years she was the legal secretary for Leonard’s law practice. She also worked for the Rockville Centre School District.

An inveterate crossword puzzler, a gourmet cook whose recipes inspired a family cookbook, and a gifted wordsmith, she was very active in local politics. After moving to the North Fork, she transferred her lifelong membership to the Southold Presbyterian Church. In recognition of her conservation efforts, the Jeanne D. Vielbig Loop Trail was dedicated to her in North Haven.

She adored her family and, in addition to her children, is survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren as well as her daughters-in-law, Gail, of Shelter Island, and Wenda, of Yakima, Wash., all of whom returned her love.

Nicknamed “The Snapper” because of her penchant for photographing every family event over the last 80 years, she leaves a legacy of thousands of unsorted photos, which insures that her family will be kept busy well into the next decade.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 8, at 1 p.m. at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements were handled by DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeanne’s memory may be made to The Mashomack Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, P.O. Box 850, Shelter Island, NY 11964.

For more information, contact Peter Vielbig at 631-749-1801 or DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes at 765-3850. Thank you.

This is a paid notice.