Jean Derdula Mick was born in Chicago on January 23, 1924, and raised in northwest Indiana. Despite difficult and humble beginnings as the daughter of Polish immigrants and an incomplete high school education during the American depression, Jean educated herself throughout her lifetime by reading widely. She lived most of her adult life in Saint John and Crown Point, Indiana, owning two businesses with her husband, Lee Orin Mick, and raising two sons, David and John. Jean’s interests in literature, history, and philosophy led her son David to begin a life of intellectual pursuit that included his studies at Indiana University and his career as a professor. In his mother’s honor, David and his wife Cindy have established the Jean Derdula Mick Excellence in Philosophy Scholarship/Fellowship at Indiana University’s Philosophy department. The student-recipient of the Scholarship/Fellowship must meet the following selection criteria: (1) excelling in the study of philosophy and (2) demonstrating future potential as a philosophy-educated individual. Selection of the recipient will be managed by a committee of faculty members in the Philosophy department who know the qualifications of the available candidates.

At 96 years old, Jean Derdula Mick passed away from the COVID-19 virus on November 13, 2020.