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Jeanne Stanley Focht, 77, of Newton went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 21, 2012 after a brief battle with cancer.

A celebration of her life will be held 2 pm Saturday, July 28, 2012 at Covenant Methodist Church. To honor the deep love Jeanne had for teaching piano to the young and old, the Jeanne Focht Memorial Scholarship Fund is being established as a part of the Wiregrass Music Teachers Forum . In lieu of flowers,  contributions to the Wiregrass Music Teachers Forum may be sent in care of Hilda Hagins, 113 Redwing Drive, Enterprise, AL 36330.

Jeanne was born to Clifton and Frances Stanley in Marianna on August 8, 1934. She graduated from Marianna High School in 1952, and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Troy University. Jeanne joyfully taught piano for 58 years to students from preschool age to retirees. She taught in Graceville, Florida, had her own music studio in Dothan, Music World, and then became a part of The Studio at Covenant United Methodist where she is a member. She was a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers Association, the Alabama Music Teachers Association, and was secretary/treasurer of the Wiregrass Music Teachers Forum. She loved working annually to help organize the Sonatina Festival which raised scholarship money for local students. Other gifts of her music to the community in the past include serving as pianist at Cloverdale Methodist church, directing hand bell choirs at Cloverdale Methodist, accompanying the Belles and Beaus senior choir at Covenant, and playing at several local churches as a substitute pianist when needed.

She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Focht of Newton; brother, Howard (Jean) Stanley of Ormond Beach; two sons, John (Julie) Ross of Ocala, FL and Stephen (Linda) Ross of Panama City, FL; daughter, Cyndi (Mick) Mekkelsen of Chicago; Bill’s children, Gordon Focht of Dawsonville, Georgia, Curt Focht of Melborne, Florida and Jeannie Focht of California; grandchildren, Tiffany (Kyle)Woodham, Lindsey Ross ,Chris (Liesl) Ross, Matthew Ross, Abby Ross, Jennifer Focht; great-grandchild, Crews Woodham; several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her brother Clifton Stanley.