Jeri Ann Calhoun, age 60, of Isle of Palms, died Sunday, March 25, 2012 after a courageous three year battle fighting Melanoma. Jeri was born April 1, 1951 in Ft. Leavenworth, KS to the late Col. (Ret.) Richard Howard Hansen and the late Alice Strandberg Hansen. As a member of an Army Military family, she traveled around the United States and Europe. Jeri graduated from Berlin American High School, Berlin, Germany in 1969. She briefly attended Roanoke College in Salem, VA before moving to SC. She attended USC and the College of Charleston earning a degree in Education. She went on to receive a Masters Degree from The Citadel. Jeri settled in Isle of Palms in 1970 where she stuck her feet in the sand and never left. Jeri had an extraordinary and rewarding career in Education, teaching in many Charleston County Schools including, Burns, Belle Hall, Pinkney and Whiteside Elementary just to name a few. She also was a Teacher Coach assisting other professionals to improve the quality of Science Education in Charleston County. Jeri was a nationally known science teacher who was associated with GEO-CAN and the Can-Do Program affiliated with NASA. This program facilitated students’ scientific experiments that were conducted from the Space Shuttle. Jeri helped develop a science notebook that allows students to record, observe, and study outcomes of science projects. These continue to be utilized in schools nationwide today. She traveled around the country with the Delta Education Company, educating teachers on the use of Foss Science Kits that were developed at UC Berkeley, CA. She was a member of the Walter Brownell VFW and President of the Ladies Auxiliary. Jeri was an avid runner and science and nature enthusiast who took advantage of all the wonderful experiences the Low Country had to offer. She was a benefactor of the Charleston Aquarium, as well as the Wild Life Expo. Jeri is survived by her beloved husband, Gig Cumming, and his children Cathleen Ciapa, Michelle Dobbs (Phillip), Sandra Smith (Tommy), Michel Cumming and Thomas Wilkinson; her sister, Karen O’Neill (Robert) and brother, Craig Hansen (Penny). She was a second mother to her nieces, Elizabeth O’Neill (Sanjay Narayan and their son Kari), Stephanie Cordray (Jacob and their daughter Rowan) Kathleen Thomas (Stephen), Samantha Witt and Megan Burke; numerous relatives and friends. She never met a stranger. She will be missed and remembered as having a generous spirit and beautiful heart who was a devoted wife, giving aunt, best ever sister and passionate educator. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at 4:00 PM, at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 302 Hibben St., Mt. Pleasant, SC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Charleston County Science Materials Resource Center, 75 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Online condolences can be sent to the family via www.mcalistersmith.com. Arrangements are being handled by MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 RIFLE RANGE RD., MOUNT PLEASANT, SC. (843) 884-3833. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths. Tags: CGC 1983
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