S. Jeanette Walsh

JEANETTE WALSH February 1, 1922 ~ October 8, 2012 "Jeanette was a loving wife, nurturing mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother." Jeanette Walsh, a longtime resident of Vancouver, WA, passed away peacefully at the age of 90, on Oct. 8, 2012. She was born on Feb. 1, 1922 in Douglas, ND. Jeanette was one of 11 children born to Andrew and Sarah Ward and graduated from high school in Garrison, ND. She later worked for the federal government. In 1942, Jeanette married her longtime love, Thomas Walsh, in Vancouver, WA, when he was on leave from the Army during WW II. She helped the war effort by working in the Vancouver Ship Yards until Tom was discharged from the Army, and they settled in Vancouver. They were members of St. James Catholic Church for all of their 65 years of married life. Jeanette was a poet, an artist - with a special gift for watercolor - and a gardener. She was also a talented seamstress and shared her talents for several years creating and sewing costumes for Bill Grogan Dance Studio recitals. She enjoyed cooking (to our delight) and was especially good at preparing delicious, "heart healthy" meals. Tom and Jeanette were active in the Arnada neighborhood and were instrumental in fundraising for the Arnada Park Gazebo. Children were a special joy to her and in later years she worked with infants and toddlers in the Prairie High School Child Care Center. Jeanette is survived by her daughter, Denise (Fred) Reinke of Seattle and son, Jefferey (Terry) Walsh of Vancouver. She was the proud grandmother of Jennifer, Heidi, Sally and Kyle, and her seven great-grandchildren, Jakob and Josephine, Emmaline and Elliott, Ethan and Renee, and Evelyn. She is also survived by one brother, Edward Ward, of Longview, WA, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; and nine brothers and sisters. "The family wishes to thank the staff at Cascade Park Care Center for their kind and compassionate care." Memorial services for Jeanette will be held Sat., Dec. 15 at 3:00 p.m., Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made in Jeanette's name to the American Heart Association .

S. Jeanette Walsh

February 1, 1922 - October 8, 2012