Jean Grace Rather
1935 – 2024
From Team Steady:
Today is the saddest of days for Dan and the extended Rather family. Jean Rather, Dan’s wife, passed away at their home in Austin, Texas, early this morning. She had been on hospice care for some time, but the news still comes as a shock for those of us who knew and loved her. Please keep the Rathers in your thoughts. Jean lived a full life as an incredible wife, mother, friend, and artist — and a true Texan. Following is her obituary from the Rather family.
Jean Rather, surrounded by loving family and friends and her beautiful artwork, died in Austin, Texas, on November 26, 2024. Her cause of death was cancer. She was 89.
Jean Rather was born in Smithville, Texas, to Martin and Hilda Goebel, the second of three sisters, with Jo Ann and Karen.
She graduated from Smithville public schools and went straight to work, eventually meeting her one true love, Dan Rather, at a Houston radio station. Together they shared 67 years of marriage living in Dallas, Washington, D.C., London, and New York City. Finally, in 2021, they moved back to Texas for good. Jean was a steadfast advisor and rock of true Texas grit during every storm. She was also the kind of wife who could meet presidents, kings and queens, draft dodgers, criminals, and corporate suits every day with equal ease and a stunning smile.
The Rathers’ travels around the world gave Jean a perspective and understanding she had never dreamed of and that at times reminded her of Cinderella at the ball. She never forgot where she came from, never lost her Texas roots, and never wavered from her fierce independence and endless creativity.
Jean was a tremendous mother and grandmother, making every game, cheering on every win, putting Band-Aids on every skinned knee, and serving as a confidante and friend to all her family members.
Although always modest, Jean was also a very accomplished artist. Her paintings and collages were shown in galleries and private collections across the United States. She attended art classes at American University and Mary Mount Manhattan College. Through careful study of master artists’ paintings and sculpture in museums in England, France, Italy, Russia, Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Southeast Asia, Jean created a unique contemporary philosophy and style.
For eight years, she served as the Painter Member and the Vice Chair of the Art Commission of the City of New York.
Jean served on many nonprofit boards throughout her life, including the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, UT Press, and the Harry Ransom Center.
She is survived by her husband, Dan; son Danjack and his partner, Ann Prunty, and grandson Martin in New York; daughter Robin and her partner, Mike Marler, and grandson Andy in Austin; and many members of the extended Wallace, Zimerhanzel, and Rather families. Her many dear friends have been wonderful companions, and their love and support meant the world to her.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin would be a wonderful way to remember her.
I am so very sorry Mr. Rather. The first thing that hits me is to find out that your dear wife has been in hospice care for quite some time, and that you just continued in your care for our country by providing us all with words of comfort and wisdom in your learned ways. May you and your family be surrounded in the love & peace that you have extended to us for so many years.
I was a Maitre d’ Hotel in Manhattan at a place Dan frequented, before I left the business to pursue ordained ministry. Occasionally he came in with his wife, usually after a long, long day at CBS. She discovered a sudden onset shrimp allergy the hard way one night. After her recovery, she wrote me a kind note apologizing for the disturbance and CNN letting us know we were not to blame. She was the epitome of kindness, politeness and basic civility. I miss Dan, but I miss her more. May she rest in eternal peace, Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter.