Jean E. Pearson, 72, of Bethlehem, died November 16, 2017, in Lehigh Valley Hospice, Allentown.  Born in Bethlehem, Jean was the daughter of the late Harold E. and Ruth (Eckert) Pearson.

A 1963 graduate of Moravian Academy, Jean earned a BA with a major in German from Moravian College in 1967.  At Cornell University she received both MA and doctorate in German Literature.  Her doctoral thesis, Kurt Kusenberg: Humorist of the Fantastic , was published in 1992.  She taught German at Moravian College from 1972 until 1985.

Jean spent a year in Sweden during which time she co-authored a history of women in literature.  She was a translator of Swedish and German poets and wrote and had published many poems of her own.  A collection of her own poetry, " On Speaking Terms With Earth " published in 1988 demonstrate her deeply-rooted connections with the natural world and with animals.

In later years Jean cared for her mother at home until her death and devoted her life to her animals, especially her beloved Hungarian Kuvasz dogs.  She was always studying, especially natural herbal and nutritional healing and natural and homeopathic care for her dogs and cats, and eagerly shared her findings with others.  She was a fervent advocate for the compassionate treatment of animals, and established the Center for Understanding Nature and Animals.

Survivors: She is survived by cousins in America and Sweden, and leaves friends in Bethlehem.

Services: A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 22, in Bethlehem Memorial Park, 1851 Linden Street, Bethlehem.  Arrangements, Pearson Funeral Home, Bethlehem.

Contributions: The National Antivivisection Society, www.navs.org, or  Equine Advocates, www.equineadvocates.org.

Online condolences may be sent to www.pearsonfh.com.