Green Foothills Remembers: Jean Rusmore, 1920-2022

Jean Rusmore photo

The Green Foothills community was saddened to learn of the passing of former Green Foothills Advocate and trail guide author Jean Rusmore, at age 101.

Jean was born in Anaheim, CA to Mary and Oscar Heying. She met her husband Ted in 1938, at the International House at UC Berkeley where both lived as undergraduates. In 1950, the Rusmores moved to Ladera and put down deep roots. Jean became involved in the San Mateo County Trails Committee, and joined Committee for Green Foothills.

Advocate, Author and Joyful Nature Enthusiast

In the 1960’s Jean became the San Mateo County Advocate for Committee for Green Foothills. Her warm smile, infectious enthusiasm, and delightful laughter were tremendous assets in convincing decision-makers to protect the Skyline and coastal areas of San Mateo County.

When the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District began building trails and providing public access to District Preserves in the 1970’s, Jean saw a need for creating a hiking guide. She and Ladera neighbor Frances Spangle co-authored “Peninsula Trails: Outdoor Adventures on the San Francisco Peninsula,” followed by “South Bay Trails: Outdoor Adventures In & Around Santa Clara Valley,” co-authored by Frances Spangle and Betsy Crowder. Jean’s final publication was the “Guide to the Bay Area Ridge Trail.”

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Ted in 2004. She is survived by their children, Mary Lyn Rusmore Villaume, Portland OR; Teri Rusmore Coppedge, Ashland, OR; Barbara Rusmore, Bozeman, MT; John Rusmore, Elk Grove, CA; Kaki Rusmore, Aptos, CA; and Margi Rusmore, Los Angeles, CA.

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