Jean Hansen Stirling, avid horsewoman and accomplished show rider, died on Sept. 30 in Hollywood, Fla. She was 89.

Mrs. Stirling was born in New Jersey and spent her youth in Pittsburgh, Pa. She graduated from Winchester Thurston School in Pittsburgh and Principia College (Ill.). She married William Stirling Jr., and lived in the Pennsylvania towns of Bakerstown and Ligonier before relocating to Florida.

During her time in Pennsylvania, Mrs. Stirling rode with Hart’s Run Hunt and the Rolling Rock Hunt, but her passion was breeding and racing Thoroughbreds. She owned multiple stakes winner What A Threat, among many other winners whom she bred.

Mrs. Stirling also trained race horses at Monmouth Park (N.J.) for a brief period, inspiring her son Kent to take on the profession himself. He is the past president of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and is currently the organization’s executive director.

In addition to her son, Mrs. Stirling is survived by her daughter, Jill Stirling Thomas, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL
60601 or the South Florida Ostomy Association, 1704 N. 32 Ct., Hollywood, FL 33021.