Jeanne Hubbell Asher, 73, of Guilford, a 22-year resident of Darien and 15-year resident of Rowayton, died peacefully at her Guilford home on Feb. 19 following a brief illness. She was the wife of 51 years to Gayle Asher, a well-known Connecticut artist and former instructor at the Rowayton Art Center. Jeanne was born in Bronxville, New York, on April 18, 1939, daughter of the late Ruth and John W. Hubbell. She grew up in Rye, New York, and graduated from Rye Country Day School. Jeanne received her BA from Connecticut College in 1961 with a major in music. Following college graduation, she attended graduate school at Columbia University Teachers College and went on to become one of the first teachers in HeadStart, working in Brooklyn, New York.

After having children, Jeanne worked as an interior decorator for most of her career. In addition, she managed her mother's international antiques business, which was represented at The New York Winter Antiques Show. Jeanne was an active volunteer in the Darien school system, particularly the English department of Darien High School, and she volunteered at the Darien Public Library.

At the time of her death, Jeanne was writing a book and tutoring in New Haven at St. Martin de Porres Academy.

Besides her husband, she is survived by her three children, Lee Asher Prince of Chevy Chase, Maryland, Carole Asher of New York, New York, and Scott Asher of Atlanta, Georgia; their spouses, Ted Prince, Sam Mandel, and Gretchen Asher; and her five grandchildren, Avery and Haley Prince, and Will, Alex, and James Asher. She is also survived by her two sisters, Suzy Hubbell Jaeckel of South Kingston, Rhode Island, and Pat Hubbell Becker of Guilford.

A memorial service will be held this spring at the United Church of Rowayton, with an announcement of the date to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Martin de Porres Academy, 208 Columbus Ave., New Haven, CT 06519, or to the United Church of Rowayton.