Jean Comita Obituary

Jean Robin Julian Comita, 98, of Fargo ND, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025. She was born in Longview, Washington on March 1, 1927, and later grew up in Seattle, Washington. Jean Julian attended Queen Anne High School, and then graduated from the University of Washington in 1949. She went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Embryology in 1951. It was there that she met Gabriel Comita, also a graduate student at UW, whom she married in 1951. Following their wedding, they spent the summer of 1952 doing research at the marine biological station in Point Barrow, Alaska.

They moved to Fargo ND in 1953, and started their family, while Gabe started his faculty position at North Dakota State University. They also did research together at the marine biological stations in Millport, Scotland, and in Pallanza, Italy. While raising her family, she later obtained a Ph. D. in Biochemistry at North Dakota State University and subsequently worked there in the Biochemistry Department. Although Fargo was halfway across the country from Seattle, Washington, they visited her parents there every year. During the 1960s and 70s they made an annual family vacation through the western US to see both her parents and friends from UW graduate school.

Jean made their home a place of warmth, order, and comfort—a reflection of her practical nature and love for those closest to her. In retirement, she enjoyed spending time visiting her children and grandchildren, and many hours reading good books, doing crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble games, cooking, and gardening. She enjoyed classical music and was a long-time subscription holder and supporter of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony.

Jean is survived by her two children, Bill and Paul; her four grandchildren, Julia, Robin, Betsy, and Maggie; and her two great-grandchildren, Grace and Phoebe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gabriel.

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND