Jean Augustine, Dedicated Teacher -- Headmistress Of Epiphany School

Jean Ross Augustine, longtime headmistress of Seattle's Epiphany School, was a success because she knew who she was, says her husband.

She was smart with people and money, fascinated with childhood learning and eager to dig into all aspects of her job, from pulling weeds to prodding the board into action.

"She worked hard and had high standards for herself and helped others create high standards for themselves," said her husband of 44 years, Webster Augustine Jr. of Seattle.

He added that she benefited from having strong mentors, including Acorn (preschool) Academy founder Dorothy Miller, language-training teacher Jane McClellan and the late teacher Robert Spock, brother of pediatrician Benjamin Spock.

Mrs. Augustine died Thursday (Aug. 13) of multiple myeloma. She was 66.

"She put all her time and effort into making Epiphany . . . a warm environment for children," said former student Erica Perkins, now a sophomore at Washington State University. "She was caring, and I wouldn't say `strict,' but she made sure we knew the rules."

Mrs. Augustine, who began at Epiphany as a part-time kindergarten teacher, helped Epiphany's transition from a church school to an independent school for preschool-through-sixth-grade students.

"She gave fabulous advice and brought everyone along with her vision," said Epiphany board President Anne Sarewitz. "She made the school what it is today."

A Seattle native, Mrs. Augustine graduated from Highline High School in 1950 and earned a bachelor's degree in home economics at the University of Washington in 1954. She was a UW homecoming queen.

She taught fourth grade and got accreditation in New Castle, Del., where her husband was with the Air Force. When they returned to Seattle, she focused on rearing her children and teaching at Epiphany.

She became headmistress in 1981. She led with warmth, wit and informed vision, say colleagues. She helped children who had language deficits stemming from dyslexia.

Upon retiring in 1994, she earned Epiphany's first Distinguished Service Award. In 1997, the new Augustine Hall was named for her 25 years of commitment to the school.

She remained a teacher and a wit to the end, kindly correcting one son's grammar in her final days.

Other survivors include her sons Webster Augustine III of Palo Alto, Calif., and Bradford Augustine of Seattle; her sister, Ellen Ross Larson of Everett; her brother, Harry Ross Jr. of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and four grandchildren. Her son Garrett Augustine died in 1975.

Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. tomorrow at Plymouth Congregational Church, Sixth Avenue and University Street, Seattle.

Blood donations in Mrs. Augustine's memory can be made to Puget Sound Blood Center, 921 Terry Ave., Seattle, WA 98104. Other remembrances can be sent to Epiphany School's Jean R. Augustine Fund for the 21st Century, 3710 E. Howell St., Seattle, WA 98122.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.com