Obituary of Jeanne S. Ehinger

Jeanne Sienkiewicz Ehinger died at home on Thursday, February 21, 2008 after a long illness at the age of 75. A daughter of Albin and Eva Rose Sienkiewicz was born June 7, 1932 in New Britain, CT. She graduated from New Britain Senior High School in New Britain and the Whitney School of Art in New Haven, CT. Her studies included some joint classes at Yale and an opportunity to study with accomplished artists such as Leonard Everett Fisher, a well-known painter, illustrator and Dean of the School. She pursued her art career by moving to New York and establishing herself as a studio or free lance graphic artist producing advertising art for New York Fortune 500 companies. In the beginning, to support her art career, Jeanne also was a fashion model in the early 1950s. Her art education continued with courses at Pratt Institute and the Art Students League of New York. Her most notable painting award at this time was first prize in Silvermine's prestigious New England Exhibition now the Art of the Northeast. Moving with her family to Darien, CT in 1965, she continued with her painting and graphic design projects that included book jacket design, teaching oil painting at the Darien Community Association, and learning the art of stained glass during which she created several original designs. In the past, she supported the local arts by being a former officer in the Stamford Arts Association as well as a member of the Rowayton Arts Center. Recently she combined her artistic talents with her knitting and sewing skills to produce original outerwear designs under the name of Hats 'n That. As an excellent gardener, she joined the Darien Community Garden at Cherry Lawn in its inaugural year and continued with a garden for many years. She was also a supporter of Scouting as a Cub Scout leader and a volunteer in Boy Scout fundraising. In addition to her art, the times Jeanne enjoyed the most were family gatherings at her lakeside house in Massachusetts. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Nelson N. Ehinger, three sons and a daughter, Nelson N Ehinger, Jr. of Ridgefield, Jeffrey S. Ehinger of Darien, Christopher D. Ehinger of Windsor, England and Geneve E. Hendricks of Wilton, CT. She is also survived by her sister, Florence Anderson of Enfield, CT. Jeanne was also a proud grandparent of seven grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Henry Sienkiewicz and two sisters, Lucy Cwirka and Stephanie Sienkiewicz. Friends may call at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, on Friday, February 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at the Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road, Darien on Saturday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. The family requests that memorial donations be made in her name to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut, 1029 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902-4108. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820