Jean Helen Labagh Kiskaddon, 99, formerly of New York City and recently of Perrysburg, passed away, after a brief illness on January 3,2026. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Charles Graham Kiskaddon Jr., and her parents, William Harry Labagh and Helen Junker Labagh.
Bom in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9, 1926. Jean graduated from Bogota High School in 1943. That same year she entered Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine, and graduated in 1947, as a member of the Key Club and Phi Beta Kappa, with a degree in mathematics.
On November 6, 1948, Jean and Graham were married in the First Presbyterian Church of Hackensack, New Jersey.
Jean is survived by her four children, Kathryn Jean Kiskaddon Wood and spouse, Glenn Tyler Wood of Otisfield, Maine; Charles William Kiskaddon and spouse, Wendie Virginia Wood Kiskaddon of Perrysburg; Christine Emily Kiskaddon Schultz and spouse, Roy David Schultz of Detroit, Michigan, and Harry Graham Kiskaddon and spouse, Gulay Seyhan Kiskaddon of Dunedin, Florida. She loved her 10 grandchildren and 19 greatgrandchildren.
In 1979, after years of moving homes, because of Graham’s corporate transfers with Alcoa Aluminum, raisand
ing four vigorous children, enjoying swimming, biking and hiking, volunteering, advocating for social justice and peace, and actively participating in many local churches, Jean took a new path. One of eight women in her class, she graduated with a masters of divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. In October 1979, she was ordained at 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. At age 53 years, she began a 40-plus year career serving as a Presbyterian minister. Most of that time was spent as an interim minister in New York City, eastern Long Island, northeast Pennsylvania and Wyoming. During that time, she married and baptized many of her family. A gifted speaker and writer, voracious reader, lifelong learner, student of politics and progressive theologian, Jean used her voice and position to stand up for others and what was right. She shattered many stereotypes of a settled pastor. Rev. Jean, Grandma Jean, GG Jean was a continuous inspiration to her family and all she met.
Jean was an avid traveler from Florida to Wyoming, New Caledonia to China, Alaska to Switzerland, Italy to Russia, Hawaii to Puerto Rico. No matter how intense her meeting schedules and travel itineraries were, she always enjoyed taking time for a swim in the ocean or a walk in the mountains.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, at the First Presbyterian Church of Perrysburg, at 11 a.m. All are welcome to join the family following the service at a reception in the church fellowship hall. The service also will be on the church YouTube Channel at 1 stpresbyterianperrysburg. com/online worship.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Perrysburg. Condolences can be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com