She was the first of three daughters to her parents, Lloyd Hardy and Irene Requa. She grew up in Dupont, Washington with her sisters Elaine and Janice. She loved spending lots of time with her Uncle Ray and Auntie Claire fishing, Auntie Janet and Uncle Bill playing games, and Auntie Bea.
Jeanne married Melvin G. Kelln of Ferndale, Washington on June 12, 1960. They met at Western Washington University, where Jeanne worked in the bookstore and received a bachelors degree in education. Their first date was to Stanley Park in British Columbia.
They raised five children, Kevin, Timothy (Loralee Leathers), Cindi (Doug Davis), Kari (John Brickey), and Jill (Brant Wood). Jeanne taught her kids how to care for others by example, caring for first her mom, then her Auntie Claire, and her sister Elaine. She was kind and compassionate. She was lucky enough to have eight grandchildren: Levi (wife Brandi) Leathers, Jordan, Parker,and Paige Davis, Ryan (wife Jordyn) and Tyler Brickey,and Kyle and Kris (wife Sara) Wood. She counted among her greatest blessings her six great grandchildren: Julian and Chase Leathers (sons of Levi and Brandi Leathers), Anastasia and Adisyn, (daughters of Paige Davis), Ryleigh and Ayden Brickey (children of Ryan and Jordyn Brickey) all of whom she adored.
When Mel and Jeanne moved to Granite Falls after being married they joined the Marysville United Methodist Church. Jeanne was an active member of the United Methodist Women, taught Sunday School, participated in the church choir, and assisted with Klothes for Kids in her time with the congregation.
Jeanne loved learning new things and always had a question to ask. It was easy to be on the phone for a little longer than you thought you might be. The conversations were always fun, from a chat about adventures at an estate sale to the tasty new dish they found at a restaurant…Jeanne loved sharing her daily adventures with everyone.
Jeanne and Mel were welcoming hosts to many students and families from places around the world. Some students were with the family for the summer months and some for years. Their willingness to open their home was a blessing to their entire family.
It was hard to visit Jeanne and not be offered either chocolate or some sweet treat. Sharing with others gave her great joy. She had lifelong friends that shared in their adventures, traveling to far away places, boating and crabbing in the San Juans, and camping all over the state of Washington.
She was excited to share life with her family and friends. A houseful of laughter around a puzzle, a game of Sequence, or around the dinner table gave her happiness, the sparkle in her eye could not be disguised. We were lucky to have her for so many memories…it is hard to capture them all. We are thankful, grateful, and blessed to have had this lovely lady be our Mom, co-worker, and friend.
A combined memorial service for Jeanne and Mel will be held January 21, 2023 at Marysville United Methodist Church, 5600 64th Street NE, Marysville, WA at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.
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Linda Zamani says
January 21, 2023 at 6:21 pmJeanne was such a warm and intelligent person. My condolences to you, and I will always remember her warm smile.
Linda Bunch-Zamani says
January 21, 2023 at 6:13 pmJeannie was such a warm person. I feel lucky to have known your family and been a neighbor of your family at Arcadia. Your mother he was such an intelligent person and always had such a warm smile and I will always remember that. Whenever she saw me she would be so sincere and have the warmest welcoming smile. I will always remember that and cherish her.