Gloria Jean Hurst, better known as Pastor Jean, passed away Jan. 11, 2022, in her home.

She was born in Cottage Grove on May 16, 1952, to Betty Jo (Spigner) and Leonard Eugene DeHaven. 

She was preceded in death by both parents and an infant brother, Leonard Jr. She is survived by siblings, Janet (Matt) Kopp of Drain, Curtis DeHaven of Cottage Grove, Tom (Teresa) DeHaven of Springfield, and Bruce (Tina) DeHaven of Grants Pass; children, Tonya (Tom) Thomason of Creswell and James Hurst of Creswell; grandchildren, Zach Thomason, Jessy Thomason and Samantha Hurst. Family was important to her and for many years she was a single parent raising her two children while holding down a full-time job and taking college courses.

Jean grew up in Cottage Grove, graduating from Cottage Grove High School. She worked for the city of Eugene for 25 years as a clerk, police dispatcher, bill collector, and ended her career with the city as an ITT (Information Technology Technician). 

She changed her career path in her 40’s when she went to San Francisco Theological Seminary, graduating in 2003 with a Master of Divinity. Her life experiences gave her an excellent perspective for counseling and preaching. When she said to someone, “I have been in your place” it wasn’t just a platitude, she had been in the same situations they were facing.

She came to Harney County in the spring of 2004. Since that time, she worked tirelessly for the citizens of the county. She created and led grief groups with the help of Steve Bull and Patty Leahy of Harney County Home Health and Hospice.

During the Harney County Fair, you could find her in a Lion’s apron cooking and serving in the Lions booth. She also conducted private counseling, community funerals and weddings. Jean was an active member of PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization), Food Bank Board, Have a Heart drama group as well as the Lion Club.

Each week, she challenged her congregation to take their faith out into the world, and through her enthusiastic leadership for service, her members have done just that through a long list of projects that have helped Harney County.

These projects have included a new ambulance for the hospital, raising funds for an addition to the Senior Center, Bank on Beef, Blessings in a Bag, community garden, co-founder of Dollars for Scholars, free community dinners, support of the Hhope shelter, and the raising of funds to provide nine water purification systems through Living Water for the World.

Jean was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer in late 2014, but continued to live her life to the fullest. She pushed herself each and every day to continue ministering to her congregation and members of the local community as long as she was able. She was an inspiration to all that knew her.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Pioneer Presbyterian Church. Donations can be made in her name to Harney County Hospice, Harney County Senior Center, Kid’s Club or Pioneer Presbyterian Church.