The following excerpt comes from the American Historical Association's website. 

Jeanne Boydston, a prominent historian of women and gender in the early Republic and a beloved teacher, colleague, partner, and friend, died on Saturday, November 1, 2008, less than six weeks after she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is survived by her partner of nearly 20 years, Joy Newmann; her brother Robert; Joy’s children; their four grandchildren; a nephew and two nieces and their families; and numerous friends. Her parents, Donnell and Juanita (Laymance) Boydston, and her brother James predeceased her.

You can read the full biography of Jeanne Boydston at:

http://www.historians.org/perspectives/issues/2009/0902/0902mem1.cfm