Tuesday, April 16, 2019
My condolences to the family of Jeannine. She was a good friend of mine at St. Louis residence in Orleans. We spent many lunch hours together and discussing many topics. She was a crafter doing many things like myself from knitting, crochet, beading, quilt making and other crafts. We were always trying to make stuff and use each other ideas. I will miss her sharp wit and knowledge and our talks.
I am the craft lady at St. Louis Residence and I give weekly craft activities with residents. Jeannine always had an idea that I could use with the group and we had lots of fun talking crafts. She told me that she had a lot of crafts at home and I joked with her, that I probably could open a store of stuff. To which she replied, "I am sure I could too".
Over the years you collect lots of stuff , she said. I said, we sure do. She said she was going to clear out some of her crafts and bring them to St. Louis and I told her that will be a big job.
Jeannine had a love of being with people and making them top priority. She spent time with each person and listening to their stories. She loved the stories and built relationships with a lot of people. She loved hosting the singing sessions at St. Louis. I visited her a few times and helped out during these beautiful sessions. She was in her element and she said that she wanted to keep alive the old songs like when she was growing up. Residents wanted the old songs too and they looked forward to each week. The smiles on the faces of residents was priceless.
She took people to the auditorium for a lot of events like birthday parties and musical events. She was always on some project with staff there too. She didn't mind. She liked to keep busy. Jeannine loved to make people happy and even though I only knew her 2 years, I loved being her friend.
She did a lot of hand beading on customized cards which she gave me one at xmas. I will cherish this for a long time. She was in the process of making me a special piano card that she said she finished but didnt get to me. That is too bad. She will be a precious person who I will never forgot.
The last time I saw Jeannine was at the annual volunteer lunch at St. Louis on Apr 14. She was awarded her 5 year volunteer pin for the work she did at St. Louis. I took several pictures that I would love to send to you. She accepted her pin and her flowers and was so happy that day. She said that she volunteered because she liked doing it and it was not for the lunch or pin. We chatted at lunch and she was among 10 other volunteers at that table and she was in good spirits. Jeannine never wanted to be the center of attention but that day she was. I will remember her great smile on that day.
She had a big heart that gave so much to others. God bless to to her family. I hope to meet the daughter sometime in the future. Take care.
