7036648164.jpg &&& JEAN CANFIELD Kaepplinger was a well-traveled woman, having visited Germany twice and toured the U.S., including Alaska — but her favorite trip came in 2005 when she went to Rome. She and family members shared an audience with Pope Benedict XVI and she received his personal blessing. Jean Kaepplinger, a woman of many talents and interests who gave of herself in numerous community endeavors in Delaware County, died Wednesday of heart failure. She was 87 and lived in Granite Farms Estates in Media. She was born and raised in West Philadelphia, then moved to Springfield in the late 1940s and to Media in 2001. "She lived an active lifestyle even as her health declined," her family said, "and enjoyed a lifelong hobby of needlepoint, producing countless articles of clothing and decorative tapestries." Jean and her late sister, Marie, were born to Frederika and Arthur Canfield, who was a photoengraver for the Philadelphia Inquirer. She attended West Philadelphia High School where she was known as "Jic." She married Harry Christian Kaepplinger in 1947. Because of his service in the Merchant Marine, Jean developed a love of the sea and sailing. She and her husband spent many summers sailing out of the Brigantine Yacht Club. Jean later donated Harry's service uniforms to the Independence Seaport Museum and volunteered in its library for several years. She was active in the Springfield community throughout her life. Early on, she spent six years as assistant leader of Girl Scout Troop 729. She also was involved with the Junior Women's Association, the Bowling League, Meals on Wheels and the Springfield Library Book Club. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, where she was in the Women's Circle and also served as a deacon. Later in life, Jean participated in the Elderhostel program, which provides travel and learning experiences for people 55 and over. Jean and her husband traveled to Germany and took trips to California, Cape Cod, the Chesapeake Bay and cruises to Alaska. Her husband died in 1992, and her sister, Marie Schoeninger, in 2005. She is survived by two sons, Peter and Grant Kaepplinger; a daughter, Jean Tierney; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Services: Memorial service 11 a.m. Friday at Granite Farms Estates. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia 19106. *