Jean Carton Obituary

Carton, Jean Keating 88, of Winnetka, a Chicago civic leader, died peacefully May 16, 2014. She was the loving wife of Dr. Robert Wells Carton. No visitation. Interment will be private. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 13 at 4:00 p.m. at Christ Church, 784 Sheridan Rd., Winnetka. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Jean's memory to The Field Museum, Chicago. Although Mrs. Carton volunteered and helped raise money for many philanthropic groups, her heart lay with The Field Museum. Says Sir Peter Crane, who joined the museum as a junior curator in 1982 and served as its director from 1992-1999, "Jean was always intellectually curious and an enthusiastic supporter of increased engagement with the natural world." Sir Crane, now Dean of the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University in New Haven, describes Mrs. Carton as "hugely supportive," as well as "a good and close friend." Agrees Willard "Sandy" Boyd, president emeritus of the Museum and President Emeritus of the University of Iowa. "Jean was always observant and inquiring, leading to rapid-fire suggestions" of how to make the museum "more engaging" and "a better place of public learning." Mrs. Carton joined the Field Museum as a charter member of The Women's Board in 1966 and served as its President and a member of the Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1982. Jean held a number of positions on the Women's Board Executive Committee. She and her husband were charter members of the Steering Committee of the Cultural Collections committee. "She gave countless hours in service to the Museum and leaves a legacy of lifelong learning about the natural world and all that inhabit it," says Trish Farrell, the museum's women's board and auxiliary group director. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Carton leaves four children, Barbara Wells Carton, Margaret Carton Stanley, Aubrey Carton Lande and James Alfred Carton; as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. For additional information contact Wenban Funeral Home, Lake Forest www.wenbanfh.com or (847) 234-0022.