Jean Mariah Mckain Schoff Wirz

Jean Mariah McKain Schoff Wirz, 95, died on January 31, 2019 in Huntsville, Alabama. Jean was born January 25, 1924 in Columbus, Indiana, the daughter of Dr. Maurice and Hazel (Mulford) McKain. She graduated from Columbus High, Hanover College, and Northwestern University, where she received a masters degree in physical therapy. Combining her passions for travel and physical therapy, she practiced as a therapist in Warm Springs, Georgia; San Francisco; Lima, Peru; and Recife, Brazil before moving to Maryville, Tennessee, where she was head of the physical therapy department of Blount Memorial Hospital for many years. She was an active and engaged member of New Providence Presbyterian Church, where she founded the Medical Loan Ministry, served in the Bartlett Adult Day Out program, sang in the choir, served on the Session, and participated in womens circles and many other church activities. In keeping with her love of travel and therapy, she also participated in many medical mission trips to Mexico, Russia, and, at the age of 76, a three-month mission to Kenya. Jean was also active in the community, appearing in many summer musicals, and served as president of the Chilhowee Club and the YWCA. Jean married Stuart L. Schoff on June 4, 1960 in Columbus, Indiana. They lived in Denver, Colorado; Recife, Brazil; and Columbus before settling in Maryville, Tennessee. After Stuarts death in 1998, she married Christian J. Wirz in 2000. Survivors include her daughter, Ruth Wright and son in law Chester Wright of Madison, Alabama; granddaughters Katie and Megan Wright; of Washington, D.C.; nephew Maurice McClung and family of Houston, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers John McKain (Barb), and David McKain (Betty); sister Fern McClung (Randy); and her husbands. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, February 4, 2019, at New Providence Presbyterian Church with Pastor Emily Anderson officiating, with visitation following the service. Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Alzheimers research or Doctors Without Borders in memory of Jean.