Jeane Hester

Jeane Hester M.D.

June 15, 1929 - December 24, 2018

Jeane Porter Hester M.D., 89, recently of Galveston, TX, passed peacefully into eternity December 24, 2018. She was born in Big Spring, Texas on June 15, 1929 with her twin sister June, to Bessie and Covey Porter. She grew up in Chickasha, OK with her sisters, and attended the Oklahoma College for Women, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in French. Jeane married Bob Hester, and moved to Oklahoma City where she worked as an assistant to Dr Welborn “Buck” Sanger, an ophthalmologist. Encouraged by Dr. Sanger, she then began her journey in medicine and graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine. After studying Internal Medicine and Hematology, she came to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for training in cancer, where she remained for an academic career in research for patients with hematological cancers. Jeane took care of patients, performed clinical research, supervised a research laboratory, taught fellows, participated in international exchange programs, traveled the world, lectured, and published. She was inducted into the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 1976, the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1987. Her work in research with IBM led to the development of the IBM 2997 blood cell separator and the development of apheresis protocols used in the treatment of blood cancers.

While Jeane considered Houston her home, she had recently moved to Galveston to be near her son, and to enjoy the view of the Gulf of Mexico. She loved watching the sun reflecting off the gulf water.

Her family, and cooking, were her passion, and she will be missed very much. Jeane was preceded in death by her parents Covey and Bess Porter. She is survived by her son, Steven Elliott Hester and wife, Fern Hester, two grandchildren; Ann Elizabeth Eckermann and husband Christopher, Mark Williams and his wife Christine, five great-grandchildren, Ethan Caesar, Mackenzie and Kay Williams, Dylan and Kyle McMahan. She is also survived by her twin sister, June Busby, sister Joan Pope and husband Charles Pope, two nieces, Connie Spelce and husband Neal Spelce, and Pamela Davis, a nephew, Joel Busby and wife Sheila, two grand nephews, Ross Busby and wife Elizabeth, and daughter Karoline, and Conall Busby, wife Sarah and great-grand nephews, Clark and Gannon, and great-grand niece, Mary Grace. She also leaves behind her life-long treasured friends, Lyn Barr of Los Angeles, California, Ann Hester of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Nancy Freudenthal of Boerne, Texas.

As was her wish to be cremated, no funeral will be held. A Celebration of her Life will be held in Austin, TX and Edmond, OK with family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to The Brookwood Community, a non-profit residence facility and vocational program for adults with special needs. Please designate, “The Brookwood Medical Clinic, “ In memory of Jeane Hester M.D.” on the memo line. The Brookwood Community – 1752 FM 1489 – Brookshire, TX 77423

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We will never know the countless lives impacted because of the work of this accomplished doctor. One thing is for certain, all who knew her have been affected by a woman to be admired. The wisdom, compassion and love Jeane demonstrated inspired us all. She is my beloved aunt's twin; I quickly learned the intensity of "Aunt"Jeane's genuine love for family and all they held dear. She was a unique and wonderful woman who imparted much to those fortunate enough to know her and left this world a better place. Prayers of comfort and peace to all who are missing her presence - until we meet again.

I had the honor and privilege of collaborating with Dr Jeane on the development and evaluation of IBM's Blood Cell Separators both at MD Anderson and medical research hospitals worldwide. She was an extremely accomplished and highly respected physician, always warm and caring to her patients, and above all, a very dear friend. She will be missed immensely by all of us whose lives she touched. My wife and I send our deepest sympathy and prayers of comfort to her family. Sincerely, Robert Kellogg, PhD, Senior engineer, IBM, Retired

I collaborated with Dr. Jeane on the development and evaluation of IBM's Blood Cell Separators both at MD Anderson and medical research hospitals worldwide. During all those years, I found her to be very accomplished and highly respected professionally, warm and caring to her patients and a dear friend. I will miss her immensely. With deepest sympathy, Robert Kellogg, Ph.D. Senior Engineer, IBM, Retired

Jeane Porter Hester was a pioneer for women in medicine and left her mark on the world. That legacy can be found online and we are proud of her many awards and accomplishments. But for us, Jeane was mom and GG. She was the foundation of our family. She blessed our lives in countless ways. Jeane was a gourmet cook extraordinaire, a lover of the arts, an avid reader of history, philosophy, politics, eastern cultures, and Russia. We always learned something new or unexpected when we dined with Jeane. She was overwhelming generous and gracious. She was passionate about the pursuit of living life to its fullest, researching, seeing the beauty in nature, and marveling at wonders and mysteries of the universe. She loved her family, especially her son, Steven. She loved her sisters, their spouses, and their children. Their joys were her joys. Through the past 35 years, I learned countless life lessons from Jeane, especially about living the life God has given us. Jeane taught me about facing death and leaving this world for the next. I’ve lost a loving and genuine mother, a treasured and trusted friend, a personal counselor, and a wise mentor. Our family has been so extraordinarily blessed to have Jeane as the matriarch of the family. We have a multitude of cherished memories to hold dear as we move forward without her. Thanks be to God for the assurances of eternal life. Heaven has welcomed a wonderful new resident. We look forward with joy to seeing our Jeane again. Oh the conversations we will have! Until that day we meet again we send our great love. Fern Hester

I had the privilege of working in Apheresis with Dr. Hester. Just by virtue of working for her, my career trajectory was wonderfully impacted. She was an amazing physician and a very kind soul who took time out of her busy schedule to help mentor a shy 23 year old nurse who aspired to be better. Her contributions were vast and many and she will forever be remembered as being the "Mother of Apheresis" God Bless the Family

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Dear Steve: Your mother's life was remarkable and we know you will miss her. May you and your loved ones rejoice in the assurance of her salvation and have a wonderful reunion in her memory. In His love, Rick and Romina Kobiljak

There are no words to describe the friendship that Jeane and I shared for 44 years. There will be a hole in my heart from now on but happy memories will fill the void in time. Thank you Jeane for the memories. OFN. I

My sincere condolences to all of Jeane’s family. She was truly a one of a kind and will be sorely missed by all who came in contact with her. She was a shining example to all of us who had the privilege of knowing her. Her tireless efforts in caring for her patients and also her research to improve the lives of patients. I had the privilege to work with Jeane beginning in July 1971 when she first came to MD Anderson and continued until her retirement in 1995. She was not one to ‘toot her own horn’, but always moved forward doing the best for her patients, colleagues, family and friends. She was fiercely protective and loving, steadfast when right and could be stubbornly tenacious. Her interests were varied, not only science and medicine, but art, music, literature and cooking . Truly a gem that I am proud to call boss – mentor and friend and I’m pleased that we kept up in the years since her retirement meeting frequently for lunch. My memories of Jeane will live forever in my heart, a special person that will never be forgotten. Not gone – but changed A Soul turned to light – Transformed forever into a star To live in the sky forever. Rest in Peace, Love Lirpa

As a friend of Fern and Steve, I knew of Dr. Hester and her love for her family long before I met her. When we did meet it was because she was willing to give her time and expertise to help me navigate the road through my cancer diagnosis and treatment. I will be ever grateful for the time, knowledge and concern she gave to me.

"We were young together. We grew old together. But what was between us never really changed, though we each changed so much." When a twin walks beside us on the trails we must keep, our burdens seem less heavy and the hills are not so steep. The weary miles pass swiftly, taken in a joyous stride, and all the world seems brighter, when a twin walks by one's side. Jeane lived to the wondrous age of 89 1/2 years. And tho her body is now out of sight, her spirit remains and we sense her presence. Truly she is not out of mind or heart. - Her loving twin, June

I remember Jeane for: her very gracious hospitality; the fabulous cook she was; her willingness to share her expertise to help those navigating cancer treatment; her devotion to The Brookwood Community; her anonymous and generous financial support for benevolent causes; her constant willingness to help others expecting nothing in return; her wisdom; her love of family. I maintain a deep, sincere respect and admiration for Jeane Hester, M.D. a most remarkable woman.

I remain profoundly honored to have met this extraordinary, kind and generous woman who so graciously modeled a life well lived. A life that in countless ways gave so much to so many. She loved and was loved deeply by family, friends, and by all who were privileged to know her. I extend my sincere condolences to the family. May the peace of God comfort you and may you find gladness in the cherished memories she leaves with you. With my sincere love, Judy Krueger

My GiGi (grandmother) lived a remarkably amazing life, overcoming mountains of adversity and rising to levels of achievement most could only dream of attaining. Above all else though, she should be remembered by her selfless love of family, friends, and thoughtfulness of others. Jeane was truly a saint, and a shining example for us all to aspire to. We shall carry on the wonderful traditions you seeded in our family, and forever hold you in our hearts. -Mark

Steve and Fern, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. What an amazing woman Jeane must have been. May God bless you all with the peace that only He can give. God bless, Jerri and Jim Brezik

Jeane was a warm, wonderful colleague who was not only a good friend. She raised the bar in treatment of cancer patients. We are all better off thanks to her insight and determination.

I had the privilege to be trained under Dr. Hester and later work with her and her staff in the Cell Pheresis Center at MD Anderson back in the 80's. She was every bit as passionate about individual patient's care as she was about her research. She was truly one of a kind and an unsung hero in establishing Anderson's clinical reputation as a leukemia center. The Big Guy broke the mold with this one- rest in peace, Dr. Hester.

Dear Sister, for the last 86 years we were the anchor and the buoy in each other’s life but now you have slip our chain. You wrote many years ago “All humans float on an ever-moving stream of time. Time is the music, the rhythm, the road in which we recollect the past and anticipate the future. The certainty that the stream of time will continue to flow after we are gone lies at the center of our thinking about ourselves and how we relate to another. Time defines the essence of the spiritual elements of human life”. We will all meet again in that stream one day and just float together. “The Moving finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: not all my Piety nor Wit Can lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all my Tears wash out a Word of it. Your “Little” Sister

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.