Jean Rather, wife of former longtime CBS News anchor Dan Rather, died Tuesday at the age of 89, her family announced.
Rather died surrounded by family and friends after a battle with cancer in Austin, Texas, his family said in a statement.
Her family said, “Jean was a steadfast mentor and the rock of true Texas patience through every storm.” “She was also the wife who could meet presidents, kings and queens, draft dodgers, criminals and corporate suits every day with equal ease and a brilliant smile.”
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Born Jean Goebel in Smithville, Texas, a small town southeast of Austin, Jean was one of three sisters. She went to work immediately after graduating high school.
Jean and Dan met at a Houston radio station and were married for 67 years.
His family described him as an accomplished artist whose paintings were shown in galleries and private collections throughout the United States.
He served for eight years as vice chairman of the New York City Art Commission. She also served on the boards of several nonprofits, including the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, UT Press, and the Harry Ransom Center.
93 year old Dan Rather Spent 44 years with CBS NewsAs a bureau chief, war correspondent, foreign correspondent, and White House correspondent.
He succeeded Walter Cronkite as anchor of the “CBS Evening News” in 1981 and spent 24 years in that chair before stepping down in 2005.
In 1963 he informed From Dallas on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Reflecting on his career in an interview last year, he recounted a conversation he had with Gene at that time.
“I didn't take time to grieve,” Rather said. “Because I said to myself, this is my professional responsibility. I remember calling my wife Jean, who was in Houston at the time of the murder, and she warned me: 'Dan, sooner or later, you'll do something Space for your own feelings.”
Along with her husband, Jean is survived by her son and daughter, Danjac and Robin, and her grandson Andy, as well as several members of her extended family.
Her family described her as “a tremendous mother and grandmother who succeeded at every sport, cheered at every victory, put a Band-Aid on every knee and was a confidant and supporter to all members of her family. Served as a friend.”
Contributed to this report.