Jean Langrill

Jean Langrill seemed to live her life in a state of constant motion, but she came to rest on June 20, 2026.

Born Jean Penelope Williams, she passed away in her sleep at the age of 93 on that Saturday morning at BrightStar Memory Care at Hobble Creek in Boise.

Jean was born on May 29, 1933, in Chicago. She grew up in Beverly, a neighborhood on the southwest side of the city. She later attended Illinois Wesleyan University, where she met her future husband, Neil Langrill.

Jean and Neil married on Aug. 19, 1956, and eventually had three sons: Bryce, Reid and Chris. She often joked about sharing a house with four males, and feigned irritation about the fact that even the longtime family dog, Spencer, was a male.

After Illinois Wesleyan, the family moved to the Chicago suburbs before eventually migrating west to Boise in 1970. Neil became a co-owner of a handful of pizza parlors named the Grizzly Bear. Over the course of the next decade-plus, Jean had a hand in the operations of those restaurants, but – true to form – she also stayed busy in other ways.

Jean had an active role in raising her three sons as they went through school, played sports and generally caused trouble. Meanwhile, she taught at Hillcrest Elementary School before pursuing a career in real estate. That career would last decades – and span many states. After the Grizzly Bears were sold Neil and Jean moved from Boise to Kansas to Iowa to Nebraska before returning to Illinois. Along the way, Jean would study for – and earn – real estate broker licenses in almost all of those states.

But eventually Jean and Neil were drawn back to Idaho. They loved the state – especially the Stanley area, where they spent many summer evenings admiring the Sawtooth Mountains.

Jean continued her career in Idaho – while also staying active as a volunteer. Over the years she donated her time and effort to many organizations, including the League of Women Voters, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), the Assistance League of Boise and her Methodist church, where she helped organize diaper donations.

Jean was a longtime fan of Boise State sports and often recounted that she almost fainted while attending the Broncos’ Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma in 2007. She was also a lifelong fan of Chicago’s sports teams, especially the Cubs and the Bears. She enjoyed golf, and continued playing into her 80s.

And, of course, Jean always stayed on the move. As such, she loved traveling and went on countless memorable adventures across the globe with assorted family members and friends.

Jean’s family thanks the staff at BrightStar Hobble Creek for their support and care during her final years.

Jean is survived by her three sons, Bryce, Reid and Chris; two grandsons, Charlie and Ryan (wife Anna); and two great grandsons, Augie and Julian (all of the Boise area). She was preceded in death by her husband, Neil, and her sister, Alice.

A celebration of Jean’s life will take place from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, at the Cottonwood Grille at 913 W. River St. in Boise. A private family burial will take place at a later time at Dry Creek Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be directed to Special Olympics Idaho or the Idaho Humane Society in Jean’s name.