Jean Apple was a cofounder and first president of the Zionsville Village Residents Association. Here is her obituary and a 2017 story about her.
Jean Nickell- Stegner-Apple, 89, passed away peacefully on March 24 in Southern California, where she lived the last few year, to be near her children. She was born in New Castle, Indiana and lived most of her life in Indiana. She was the beloved Mother of Christina ( Jose) Frausto, Dana (deceased,) Cheryl, Dean (Debbie) Apple and Jay. And the loving grandmother of Dana, Natasha (deceased,) Tara, and Nic. She is survived by six great grandchildren and her three sisters.
As a dedicated volunteer, even while raising five children, she still found time to volunteer in her children’s activities such as school programs, serving as room mother, chair of the school carnival and assisting with the Scouts.
Jean had the pleasure of working for the White River Park Commission when it was initially forming, allowing her to be active in the formation of the Park. Then ever pushing herself to expand and learn, she became an inspiring example to us when she went back to college in her 50’s, earning her B.S., with distinction, then going on to earn her law degree, becoming a lawyer at age 59. She never charged for her work, a true reflection of her character of one that always gave back.
She loved the arts, always surrounding herself with music, dabbling in painting, and even enjoying an acting career with the “Off Main Street Players” in the early 1960’s.
Jean loved Zionsville and was the proud owner of a 1865 historic home at 205 North Maple Street, a designated Zionsville Historical Society Century Structure. Over the years she composed a complete genealogy of the house. In preserving the history of the home, Jean would dress as Emma Higgins, who was born and lived in the house, creating reenactments for local school children.
As a twenty-two-year resident of Zionsville, Jean remained a very active member of the community. A firm supporter of historic preservation, Jean served on countless committees, boards, and organizations for the town. She was past president of Zionsville Kiwanis, past president of the Village Garden Club, was co-founder and past president of the Village Residents’ Association, served on the PZAZ board since its inception, was on the Zionsville Historical Society as board member and president, served on the original Board of Directors for Maplelawn Farmstead, director of Central Indiana Herb Society, director of Horizon House, and director of Riley Area Revitalization Project. Her passion for preservation was evident through her involvement in the successful effort to preserve a historical structure that was earmarked for demolition to become a parking lot. Jean was also instrumental in designing and spearheading a “doll house” for the town’s fundraiser. It currently sits in Lions Club Park as part of the children’s play area.
She was honored to have been presented on July 17, 2017, by the Mayor of Zionsville, an official Proclamation naming it Jean Apple Day.
Jean considered her friends to be a very important part of her life. She enjoyed entertaining and was proud of her historic home and gardens, holding many social events in her beautiful backyard. She kept in contact with many of her friends through the several card clubs she participated in, some spanning back to her post-high school days.
She was a woman of boundless generosity, giving of herself to serve the greater community. Jean personified graciousness and love, always kind and giving to others. Her family and friends meant the world to her. Her favorite color was pink and she was known as the only woman in Zionsville to have a pink kitchen.
She had a very full life which was well lived in every sense.
