In Memoriam: Jean Morris Tarpley

With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of Jean Morris Tarpley, former director of admissions for the School of Law. Jean's 39-year tenure began in 1951, and her legacy carries on every day throughout the school as we recognize that every application, every student, and every alum is important.

Jean Morris Tarpley started at the law school as the secretary to Dean Muse in November 1951. At the time she was the only secretary in the law school and started her law school service in the Lombardy Street building.  In her early years prior to becoming the school's first director of admissions in 1972, she wore many hats including that of career advisor, registrar, housing coordinator, keeper of student lockers and staunch supporter of students. "Dean Jean," as she was fondly known by everyone in the law school, served as de facto Dean during the illnesses of both Dean Muse and Dean Doubles who followed him. Legions of alumni considered her their law school mother and her legacy remains the personal attention given to applicants and students at the law school. A river birch tree was planted in her honor on the occasion of her 35th anniversary at the law school which towers over the entrance of the school today welcoming our visitors as Jean did during her 39 years of service to the law school. Jean retired in September 1990 and moved to Jacksonville, Florida to live with her daughter.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, February 24, 2–5 p.m. at the University of Richmond School of Law. A funeral service will be held at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, 1 p.m. Monday, February 25, followed by burial at Riverview Cemetery, 1401 Randolph Street in Richmond.

The Jean Morris Tarpley Scholarship Fund was established by the Class of 1957 and added to throughout the years by many of her admirers, in honor of Jean Morris Tarpley. To make a gift to help the School of Law continue Jean's legacy, please visit givenow.richmond.edu. Please include the "Jean Morris Tarpley Scholarship Fund" in the "Other Designation" field.