Nelda Jean Daeschner

Nelda Jean Daeschner, 91, of Rochester, New York, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026. Jean was born in Greenville, Ohio, on November 10, 1934, to Herbert and Cleo Crawford. Jean attended Miami (Ohio) University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education and became a middle school teacher in Dayton, Ohio.

Jean married Richard E. Daeschner in 1962.  She and the family followed Dick across the country and back during his tenure with General Motors, living in cities including Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; Beaverton, Oregon; Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; and Sudbury, Massachusetts, making many lifelong friends along the way.  Dick and Jean retired to Hendersonville, North Carolina in 1988 where they lived until moving to the Highlands of Pittsford in Pittsford, New York in the fall of 2014.

Jean’s husband preceded her in death after more than 55 years of marriage.  She is survived by her loving sister Lorna (Herb) and two devoted sons, Richard (Ann) and Michael (Joanna).  Jean has three cherished grandchildren, Melissa, David and Sophia, along with many nieces and nephews.

Jean never met a stranger, often to her children’s dismay, frequently chatting with people she met on family outings for a half hour or more.  She was quick with a smile and always curious.  She was an animal lover and had enjoyed riding horses in her youth. She was an accomplished bridge player and came to love the game of golf.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.

A private memorial service will be held.

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