On September 28th, 2026, Jeffrey James Wescott left his body behind like an ill-fitting old shoe. He was born in Westfield, MA on Dec. 8, 1961, the first child of Walter and Katherine (Terrett) Wescott. Jeff’s early life revealed a thirst for knowledge that lit his life ablaze and warmed the souls of all who knew and loved him.

He loved to study and to teach; loved the connections that freewheeling group debates made in the ether; believed that clear thinking could change the world; remembered good meals for decades; honored his upbringing; and delighted in giving carefully selected gifts.

Jeff was father to Hannah and Clare Wescott, husband to Catherine Turnbull, brother to David Wescott and Susan Wescott Brewer, and friend to scores of wonderful people he cherished. In his professional life, he was an English teacher—first at the Wheeler School in Providence, RI, and then, following a short stint at Milton Academy in MA, he settled in at Interlochen Center for the Arts, where he made a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of his scholars.

After leaving Interlochen, Jeff volunteered on the Board of the Traverse Area District Library and was active in the Afghan Migrant Ministry Project at Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City, in addition to serving other worthy causes.

He will be remembered as an unstinting champion of his daughters, an inveterate collector of books, and an unflagging source of good humor in even the roughest times.

A service will be held to celebrate Jeff’s life at 11:00am on Saturday, October 31 at Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City, with visitation beginning at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Jubilee House, a ministry of Grace Episcopal Church (gracejubileeoutreach.org), or PoWeR! Book Bags (powerbookbags.org).