Dr. Jean Durley Deupree

Dr. Deupree spent her career as a teaching and research neuropharmacologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.  Her research focused on life enhancing medications for epilepsy, ADHD, and other neurological disorders and resulted in numerous patents. She was twice recognized as one of the outstanding young women of America.  As a pioneering female neuroscientist she was an inspiration to many.

Beyond her research she was beloved by her students and won frequent teaching awards.

Jean was born in Washington DC in 1942.  She spent her formative years in Bloomington Indiana, and then Big Rapids Michigan.   She received her bachelors degree in pharmacy  from Ferris State University in 1965 and is now one of its distinguished alumnae.

Jean received her PhD from Michigan State University and conducted her postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She was hosted for her sabbatical year at NIH with Dr. Julius Axelrod, a Nobel Laureate.

Beyond her career, Jean held a very strong commitment to the Catholic faith and was a fixture at St Columbkille church in Papillion.  After moving to Hillcrest Estates, she became the centerpiece of their bible studies program.

She also loved family and friends, was an afficiando of Rummikub and other stimulating games, and was a trained clown. In her time with us she left all who knew her awed by her faith, her determination to make people smile, and her commitment to goodness in everyone she met.

Her memories live on with her brothers Jim (Betsy Deupree), John  (Sally Reynolds)  as well her nieces Jeannette Deupree (Michael Fraenkel) and Julia Deupree (Nicholas Iorio)  as well as her nephew Patrick Deupree (Terry).   In her final months, she was supported by her loving care manager Nicky Wik, and her team as well as her friends and prayer group.

Burial to take place at Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids, Michigan at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to St. Collumbkille Catholic Church or Parkinson's Nebraska ( https://parkinsonsnebraska.org/ ).