Jean Dirks
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Jean Dirks was a compassionate, vibrant, intelligent woman who found purpose in her work with the courts, mental health and child welfare clients, and in raising her three children, Matthew, Jeffrey, and Rebecca.
Jean Dirks was born in Washington, DC in 1949 and raised in Bethesda, Maryland. Her father, Frederick Dirks, worked for the International Monetary Fund, which inspired Jean’s interest in the stock market. Jean was very close to her mother, Doris Dirks, both in her childhood and throughout her adult life. As a child, Jean enjoyed reading, writing, and visiting Deep Creek lake in the summers with her parents and older sister Peggy. Jean attended Walt Whitman High School and Swarthmore College. She enjoyed her life at Swarthmore, where she was a psychology major and proud advocate of the women’s liberation movement. Under Jean’s prompting, her class’s graduation gift ensured access to birth control for women students at Swarthmore for the first time.
After graduating from Swarthmore in 1970, Jean obtained a Master’s Degree in childhood development at Harvard University. At Harvard, Jean met an astronomy doctoral student with long, curly black hair and John Lennon-style glasses. Tom Cravens would become her husband for 47 years and the father of their three children. Jean married Tom in 1975. She received her Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1976. She taught briefly at the University of Florida and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan. Jean gave birth to her first son, Matthew, in 1981. Her second son, Jeffrey, was born in 1983. During the 1980s, Jean worked as a clinical psychologist at the Southgate Regional Center and then at the Monroe Mental Health Center.
The family moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1988 after Tom accepted a position at the University of Kansas. Jean and Tom’s daughter, Rebecca Dirks, was born in 1989. Rebecca was a great blessing to Jean, who as a women’s libber and close friend to her mom Doris appreciated having her own daughter.
After the family moved to Kansas, Jean worked as a licensed psychologist for more than 30 years at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. Starting at Michigan and continuing at Bert Nash until her passing, Jean dedicated her professional life to clients with developmental disabilities and children and families affected by child abuse and neglect. Jean regularly testified in court, wrote evaluation reports, and collaborated with judges and attorneys in child welfare cases. She always gave gifts and letters to the Bert Nash support staff on holidays and Support Staff Day. Her son Jeffrey handled child abuse and neglect cases in the Bronx Family Court, which was a source of pride/connection and conversation for Jean. Rebecca’s path to becoming a surgeon and Matthew’s work as a senior data analysist for Douglas County were also great sources of pride for Jean.
All three children attended Lawrence High School. Jean and Tom very much enjoyed being parents and having the children participate a variety of activities including marching band, debate, the tennis team, and scouting. Both Matthew and Jeffrey are Eagle Scouts, and Rebecca was an accomplished martial artist. All three children were involved in band or choir, including countless halftime marching band shows that Jean and Tom enjoyed. Jean appreciated the great friends all three kids made during their childhood years. The family enjoyed many activities together including trips to relatives and friends on both coasts, ski trips to Colorado, vacations in Branson, and cruises. Jean also enjoyed science fair projects with her children, cooking, watching Kansas University basketball, and attending the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
Jean wrote to her children in a letter on Christmas of 2011: “And although your future paths may be at times hard, I know with certainty that you will each go far and I am tremendously proud of each of you, and happy for what each of you has brought to my life.” One of her biggest joys in life was spending time with and talking to her children, and doing things for her children. She was the epitome of a devoted, supportive, loving parent.
Jean’s children and husband have been infinitely graced by what Jean brought to our lives. After their children left the nest, Jean and Tom still very much liked to follow their children’s lives in the wider world, including at their various colleges and professional schools and in their many locations (Boston, St. Louis, Michigan, New York, Virginia, Indiana, and Minneapolis). Jean was a close friend to her children and source of support in their many challenges and triumphs. Both parents were very happy to see all three children join with wonderful partners (Matthew with Rebekah, Jeffrey with Audrey, and Rebecca with Nelson). And they enjoyed seeing their grandchildren Matilda and Ophelia. To her family and all those who knew her and loved her, her influence and memory is a blessing.
I was so sorry to learn of Jean’s passing. She was an amazing woman and psychologist. I had the honor of working with her for a while at Bert Nash and learned so very much! May your memories always be a blessing.
I worked with Dr. Jean Dirks during my employment as support staff at Bert Nash. She was charismatic and inspiring to say the least. I can’t even put into words how wonderful she truly was and how much she would brighten the center when she would come in. Her passion for her work and her grace towards others taught me many important lessons as I go forward with my psychology/social work education. I am so thankful I got the gift of knowing and working with her.
I worked with Jean while I was a social work supervisor at Lawrence SRS in the 1980s and 1990s. Jean was an amazing advocate for children and completed the most thorough parenting psych evaluations I have ever come across in 40 + years working in children and family services. We often referred some of the most difficult case situations to Jean for evaluation and she always rose to the challenge.
We often talked about Michigan as I
Had lived there as a child and graduated high school there. I had no idea she spent childhood summers at Deep Creek Lake, MD. I now live in WV and am only about 50 miles from Deep Creek.
If only I were in the Lawrence area I would want to be there for her celebration of life. A truly great lady! ❤️❤️❤️
I am saddened to hear this about Jean. I was a social worker with Lawrence DCF, as a foster care social worker and later as a CPS social worker. Jean was a joy to work with and always did a thorough parenting evaluations on our clients. I never wanted anyone else to ever complete those evaluations. We had many conversations about our children and they were a source of pride to her. My thoughts and prayers are with Jean and her family. She will be greatly missed.
I’m saddened to see that Jean has passed. She had an infectious smile and she always made people feel happy to be around her. I enjoyed conversations with her and dinners for 8. She and Tom were great hosts and she loved showing the family pictures all over their home. She was intelligent and kind. She was so proud of her children and the lives they were building. To Tom and the kids; I’m so sorry for your loss.
I am very sad to hear this news. I hadn’t seen Jean for quite awhile, but when I was a special education teacher in the Lawrence Public Schools she did many evaluations of students for a variety of purposes, and counseled many as they navigated adolescence to adulthood. She was always thoughtful and caring and a good communicator. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Jean, I will miss your always smiling face. I was proud to be a part of the class of the BNC class of 1989 with you. Your caring spirit is an inspiration to us all.
I’m forever grateful for the advocacy work Dr. Dirks did for myself and children. She will be solely missed.
Although I have not seen her in years, Jean crosses my mind often, as does Tom, and the kids as well. She was a bundle of energy and encouragement, and had a zest for life that only those who have brushed with its end understand. What a remarkable life and what a legacy she leaves. I was blessed to have known her.
Jean & Family, words cannot express how much I will miss Jean. Her unconditional love for her family and friends was a treasure. I was blessed to call you a friend 20+ years. Our journey began while I worked at Bert Nash. I will miss your smile and energy. I will always
remember the good times we had together. The family dinners (creamy mashed potatoes of course). The hosting of my sin Isaac’s baby shower, grocery shopping, Amber & Allison’s slumber parties. Your experience and advice was always on point. I could write on and on about the family values you held dear. Knowing that your legacy will never be forgotten.
Love always,
Aretha Neely – Cunningham
The most loving person I’ve ever met. Always willing to help, and give you the shirt off her back kind of woman. I remember dinner at her house when I was about 7 years old, I tried skim milk for the first time and realized quickly it wasn’t my favorite lol. But This woman will be greatly missed. Spread your wings of love my dear sweet soul.
This is such sad news. I worked with Jean at the Bert Nash Center, and her intelligence and leadership were often over looked because it was her empathy and encouragement to her clients and the support staff that meant the most to Jean. I am sure she will be fondly remembered by all the people who’s lives she touched.
Karan Baucom
Our deepest condolences for the Craven family on the loss of such a wonderful person. May she Rest In Peace and may perpetual light shine upon her. Take strength from the beautiful memories, she will always be with you.
Tom and family – I am sorry for your loss of Jean from your lives. I hope that the memories of her good cheer, undoubted love for her family and the strong support she gave to each of you will sustain you through your grief.
Frank Wright
So sorry to hear this news today. Jean was such a ball of fun and enthusiasm. She will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences to Tom and family.
I was a recipient of Jean’s gifts and letters to the support staff at Bert Nash for many years. I am so grateful for the appreciation she showed to us. She will be missed in many ways.
I am deeply saddened that Dr. Dirks has left this world, and our community. Such a loss!. A stalwart champion of children, her shoes will be hard to fill. Dr. Dirks made the world a better place, where might does not always triumph over the vulnerable. My children and I, too, benefitted greatly from her skill, thoroughness, professionalism, courage and judgement long ago. It was not easy and though long ago, it will never be forgotten. I will always be grateful for Dr. Jean Dirks and how she made a difference despite overwhelming odds. Goodbye, and thank you forever, Dr. Dirks. .
I can’t believe we won’t see her happy face again. I worked with Jean at Bert Nash for 25 years. She was generous, smart, loyal, honest and quirky all rolled into one great friend. I will miss you. joyce
I was so sad to hear if Jean’s passing. I worked with Jean for many years and she always made me smile. She was full of energy and could take the wind out of the room. Jean always remembered the support staff at BNC and treated all of us with respect. She was my friend, one of a kind and will be truly missed.
I am rattled and sad to learn of Jean’s passing. Jean contributed to my quality of life at BNC, as she did with most people she met. I wanted her to live forever! Jean was the example of kindness to me, the staff and her clients, always going the extra mile with a smile. She was a bright shining star in the world. My condolences to Tom and her children.
Jean was a wonderful human being: always kind , helpful and generous to all she came in contact with. I feel honored to have known . I will miss her. Kala
I was so sorry to read of Jean’s passing in the paper. We were neighbors for a few years on Wimbledon Circle. She was always warm, friendly and a devoted mother. My deepest sympathy to Tom and the kids. You did an amazing job writing the obituary, lovely.
I met Jean while working as a typist at BNCMHC. She left behind a legacy of encouragement, laughter, caring, generosity. My condolences to her family.
Such a great lady who will be sorely missed.
We didn’t work on the same floor at Bert Nash, but whenever I would run into Jean she would always be smiling. I loved getting her Christmas notes that always had very interesting tidbits and stories; she never forgot to give thanks to the Support Staff. She was very devoted to the children she was helping and working to get them a better life. My condolences to her family.
I was very sad to hear of Jean’s death. We were good friends in college and always enjoyed our very occasional visits after that. She will be very missed at this year’s reunion. Very best wishes to her family and my condolences on your loss. The world has lost a bright shining soul.
I was sad to hear of Jean’s passing. I worked with her for about five years at Bert Nash years ago. It made me feel so good when she organized a baby shower for me when I was pregnant with my youngest child and still working at the BN satellite offices. I still have the beautiful frame she had engraved for me to put his first baby picture in. Jean was definitely a bright light in the world, and made a very positive difference in the lives of children and families with challenges of different types. She will be missed by so many.