Jeanette was a strong, independent, and very private person. She was friendly with a great but subtle sense of humor. When she really got to laughing, it was infectious. In her early years, she enjoyed traveling to warm beach locations. As the years passed, she focused on her home. She enjoyed gardening, with roses as a particular focus. She was an avid cook and baker. Finding new recipes was a hobby for her, and she had thousands. She would create wonderful spreads when the family came to visit. At Christmas she would bake an amazing assortment of cookies and had a long list of people to give them to.
Her favorite pastime was handwork, anything from quilting and embroidery to cross-stitch and crochet. She loved animals, and her favorite charity was the Humane Society. She was a lifelong contributor and left money so the contributions could continue.
Jeanette was a loyal friend, keeping even her school friends throughout her life. She had one particular man in her life for forty years, unfortunately he became ill and Jeanette took care of him until he passed, but he passed way too soon. She went to work at Bell Telephone Company (now AT&T) right out of high school and worked up to a management position. Her team performed well and she received written recognition throughout the years. Starting work straight from school, she was able to retire at an early age and really enjoy many years before falling ill with cancer. She will be greatly missed. We had regular phone conversations that would last well over an hour, during which we would laugh and have a good time while also trying to solve the world’s woes. We never solved anything, but when it was time to hang up, we felt satisfied that we had tried.
Jeanette had signed up for Celestis many years before she became ill, and she found it an exciting finish to her life. When she knew she was dying, she was afraid that maybe the offer wasn’t good anymore, so we made a call. When I gave her the news that she was still going to space I thought she was going to jump out of the bed. She came up from her pillow with a huge smile and gave a squeal and a big laugh. Her face was flush with happiness, and she kept saying, “Really? I get to go to space?” She was so animated and full of joy, something I had not seen in weeks. This is a memory that I will carry forever, and it is due to Celestis.
