WILMINGTON — Jean Eleanor Hitchcock Bridger, 75, died peacefully August 16th in Wilmington, NC.
Mrs. Bridger was born on March 28, 1947 in Jacksonville, FL to Paul Revere and Daisy Ryan Hitchcock. She was baptized on Palm Sunday of 1963 at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC where she sang in the church choir and played handbells. She graduated from RJ Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, NC where she played basketball. She graduated from Lees-McRae College in Banner-Elk, NC, and UNC-Greensboro where she received a B.S. in Physical Education. Prior to moving to Wilmington, she worked for the Dean at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. She was in charge of hourly hiring at the Nuclear Division of General Electric in Wilmington. Jean was recognized by the Outstanding Young Women of America organization in 1979. She and her husband George Richard Bridger, originally from Bladenboro, NC, founded Bridger Drilling Enterprises in 1983 where she was Secretary/Treasurer until 2020.
Jean was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who adored her family. Known for the loving way she served others in her home, neighborhood and community, she particularly enjoyed hands-on volunteer projects in support of the Wilmington Sertoma Club which sponsors the annual Child Development Center Christmas party. Jean was a longtime member of the St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church. Jean enjoyed serving on the Kitchen Committee. She frequently opened her home to friends by hosting oyster roasts, engagement and Christmas parties. Her hallmark joyous, melodic laughter was a delightful sound to everyone who knew her. She enjoyed shag dancing to beach music with her soulmate George, and traveling the world, often on the back of their motorcycle.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years George; her son George Ryan Bridger and daughter-in-law Amy Royster Bridger of West Palm Beach, FL and their children Annabel Elizabeth Bridger and George Ryan Bridger, Jr.; her daughter Meredith Bridger Gibson and son-in-law William Sidney Gibson, Jr. of Raleigh, NC and their children William Sidney Gibson, III and Olivia Ryan Gibson; her sister Beth Arrington of State College, PA; twin sister Jenny Hitchcock of Greensboro, NC; sister Judy (Ed) Branson of Chapel Hill, NC; brother-in-law Frank (Lynda) Bridger of Raleigh, NC; sister-in-law Dorothy (Irv) Freedland of Wrightsville Beach, NC; brother-in-law Quentin Bridger of Kure Beach, NC; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 3pm Friday, Aug. 26 at Pine Crest Cemetery in Bladenboro. A memorial service will be held at 11am Saturday, Aug. 27 at St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wilmington followed by a reception at the church.
Donations may be made to St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church in her memory. Flowers may be sent to Andrews Mortuary. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the caregivers at Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Institute.
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