Hand of Jean

Jean Hehn-Bradley passed away on January 1, 2018. A board member of Wild Horse Education (WHE) for several years she will be missed. Jean loved nature and animals; she saved street dogs overseas, feral cats in her local community and served our wild places and wild things through her support of WHE. Jean is survived by her husband, children and the many lives she touched through her “random acts of kindness.”

Our board remains committed to the multiple missions of this organization and will carry her memory always.

Cathy Ceci of WHE;

Jean was a smart and fierce animal protection warrior; loyal and gracious friend. Her dedication to every creature she encountered was something rarely seen, engaged with her full heart. Her practical and pragmatic ways and sense of humor were a force at board meetings. She was always enthusiastic; to get that job done, preferably today. We find ourselves shell shocked and devastated by the sudden news, we have no doubt Jean was met and accompanied across the bridge by a great host of four legged angels, great and small.

Your influence, inspiration and heart will continue on in our work. We are grateful to have been your friends and thank you for sharing the gift of your time on earth with all of us.

Laura Leigh of WHE;

Jean was more than a board member, she was a friend to all of us at WHE. Jean was more than a friend to me, she was family. The loss is deep and personal and I feel blessed to have had Jean as my “other mother” for the last few years. I know she would not want me to dwell on anything in the past, she was far too pragmatic for that. Jean recognized this volatile political climate and worried about me as a human being and not simply a tool; she would help me remember that too. I apologize for retreating these last few days; Jean was a very special human being and this news was sudden, unexpected and profound.

Jean will hold an honorary seat on the board of WHE as we carry this vision forward with as much wisdom and endurance as we can muster and compassion for each other.

Jean would travel to wild horse country often. She visited 5 HMA’s on more than one occasion.

One day at a roundup, however, was enough for her. “You do that. I’m not going back. That two hour drive one-way. How can you watch that all day and drive and drive? You are the crazy one, that’s crazy, you do that.” She worked from the motel room for the rest of the roundup.

We will Jean. We will keep working to define the humane handling policy the litigation you believed in won. We will keep working to protect the wild ones; trying our best to keep them free.

Video of the one day of roundups Jean attended at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.

We miss you Jean.  From Wild Horse Education’s surviving board members; Laura Leigh, Cathy Ceci, Beth Quigley-Lauxen