Jean Willis Standing

March 26, 1927 – April 15, 2018

Mrs. Hugo J. Standing, resident of Pacific Palisades for more than 50 years, died April 15, surrounded by her loving family. Jean (Hope) was born in 1927, the daughter of Florence Cowne Willis and Norman Lindsay Willis in Remington, Virginia.

As a child, Jean loved the Virginia countryside and adored the animals on the dairy farms owned by her family. Later, she moved to Washington, D.C., to attend Holton Arms School.

After graduation she attended the University of Mary Washington to earn a B.A. in history. In 1949 she sailed to Europe on the Queen Elizabeth.

At the University of Geneva, Switzerland she studied languages where she met the love of her life, a dashing, former British R.A.F. Pilot, Hugo Standing. Although she thought she would never see him again, when she returned to the United States, he proposed by mail. So in 1950 they were married in Washington, D.C., and made their home in Baltimore, Maryland.

Jean taught fifth grade, was an employment specialist for the state department and also worked as an account representative for Westinghouse, turning down a promotion to start her family.

On New Year’s Eve, 1959, Jean and Hugo traveled by train across country with their first child so that Hugo could expand the West Coast offices of Alexander and Alexander. While Hugo became a successful businessman in Los Angeles, Jean became a wonderful mother for their three children.

She was also president of the Lazy Susans (Beverly Hills Women’s Club) and a volunteer for the National Charity League. She and her family visited Europe often, especially England, and she enjoyed their annual trips to Hawaii.

Jean and Hugo won several dance competitions and gave lively parties singing popular songs and show tunes accompanied by Hugo at the piano in their home.  She treasured the friendships she made at the California Club, Bel Air Bay Club and The Riviera Golf and Tennis Club.

Her keen intellect and photographic memory made her lifelong scholarship in English and American history possible in the Rare Books Room at the Huntington Library. She also spent countless hours in the Mormon Church Genealogical Archives, researching her ancestors and those of her friends. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames and National Society of the Descendants of Washington.   

Jean was a kind friend, sweet daughter, devoted mother and loving wife.

She is survived by her husband of almost 68 years, Hugo J. Standing, and children: Beverley Whiting Standing, Geoffrey Willis Standing and Anne Lindsay Anderson, and two grandchildren: Camille Anderson and Brielle Anderson.

A memorial service will be held at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Pacific Palisades on May 29 at 11 a.m. A graveside service will be held at the Warrenton Cemetery, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, make a donation to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.