Jean Frances Speegle Howard (January 31, 1927-September 2, 2000) is an American actress who acted primarily in film and on television. She starred in the 1996 film Matilda as the librarian, Mrs. Phelps.
On September 2, 2000, Howard died in Los Angeles, California of heart and respiratory illness. She was 73 years old. She is buried in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery.