Jeanne Therese Humphrey Riemer

Jeanne Therese Humphrey Riemer

(Oct. 3, 1919 ~ Nov. 10, 2012)

Preceded in death by her husband William C. Riemer, their son James L. Riemer and his wife, Peggy Juhl Riemer.

Survived by her daughter Therese Day, her grandson Seth Meyer, his wife Gaylene and their children Evan and Emmett, all of Seattle, by her granddaughter Kelly Day of Miami, Florida, and by her brother Clare Humphrey, his wife Rosalie and their children Linda and Mark of Portland and Canon Beach, Oregon.

Jeanne was born in 1919 in Pasadena, California. An honor student, she left college during World War II, serving as a recruiting officer in the US Navy. During the war she met and married William Crawford Riemer of Hartford, Connecticut. Jeanne was smitten by this tall, handsome pilot in the US Air Force who managed to limp back many times on one engine up over the Cliffs of Dover in his plane called "Tahelanbak", always accompanied by his darling dog Black Bomber. Both Bill's and Bomber's official military ID "dog tags" were in Jeanne's most precious possessions till the end.

With Dad still flying for the Air Force, they raised a family, stationed on both coasts of the US, and for a few wonderful and formative years being stationed in Japan. They eventually retired to Whidbey Island and Seattle where Jeanne devoted her last years to rehabilitating rescued pets.

Jeanne's most happy hours every day were spent widely reading, and after the children were grown she inspired everyone by returning to school to earn her bachelor's and master's degrees with honors in English history, sharing her love of learning in numerous volunteer positions.

Having been born before women could vote was a defining factor in Jeanne's character and she was thrilled to live long enough to cast her last ballot for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. When they won, she felt the nation she loved would continue in good hands.

Jeanne's ashes will join those of her husband and son by being scattered to the seas, and bagpipes will be played next St. Francis' Sunday at St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle.