Jean D'Agostino

JEAN PORTER SOMERVILLE - Jean Porter Somerville McGuire D'Agostino, of Las Vegas, passed away Feb. 24, 2015. She was born Nov. 13, 1923.

She was a free spirited, kind, generous, uniquely creative individual with talents for fine arts, sculpture and textile design. Her early years were dedicated to raising her family and the commercial arts. She was a role model and pioneer among women. With Rosanne Slavin, she founded Matisse Fabrics, the first female owned and operated textile converting company located in the heart of the New York City fabric district. She received the prestigious Textile Designer of the Year Award bestowed at the Lincoln Center of the Arts in New York City.

In her later years, she moved to Las Vegas, and was passionately dedicated to the development of the fine arts including the Desert Sculptors, the Art Factory and the First Friday artist events. She worked with the city government to promote and support the arts. She was noted as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Las Vegas. She served as an inspiration and mentor to women and artists.

Jean was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be missed by many family members and friends, especially by her daughters, Loran, Colette, Marleen, Sharda, Laurie and Sharon; her sons in-law, Steven, Oswaldo and Ian; her grandchildren, Janine, Kevin, Matthew, Soledad, Olga and Diana; her great-grandchildren, Chloe, Lola and Ethan; her adopted son, Peter; her close friends, Ronnie and Steve; her longtime caregiver, Consuelo; and countless others who will always celebrate her wonderful life and adventurous spirit. She will be greatly missed. "Love you Mom.”