Jeanne Garretson Lightman, who devoted her life to charity work, the arts and her synagogue, died at home Saturday of cancer. She was 72. Throughout her life, Mrs. Lightman used her interest in dance and the arts to further charitable works. A former ballroom dancing teacher, Mrs. Lightman used her dance experience to teach blind and visually impaired children how to dance. Also, for 25 years, through Temple Israel Sisterhood, she typed Braille textbooks for blind children in Memphis. "She worked tirelessly, typing volumes and volumes," her son Dr. David Lightman said. "She was interested in helping people." Ten years ago, she authored an audiotape and booklet on swim aerobics, and in recent years, after contracting fibromyalgia, an arthritis-like condition, she formed a swim aerobics therapy group to help others suffering from arthritis and the condition that afflicted her. "She had a love of exercise, dancing, tennis," her son said. "She turned a liability into an asset," he said, using those interests to help others. Mrs. Lightman was a member of the Temple Israel Sisterhood, and was past board member of the Council of Jewish Women, Concerts International and Theatre Memphis. She grew up in New Orleans and was a graduate of Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans. She was a cheerleader for Tulane University. Services will be at 4 p.m. Monday at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Mrs. Lightman, the wife of Richard Lightman, also leaves her brother, Richard Garretson of New Orleans; four sons, David, of Winfield, Pa., Dr. Alan Lightman of Concord, Mass., and John Lightman and Ronnie Lightman, both of Memphis, and six grandchildren. (Obituary published February 9, 1997, in The Commercial Appeal)