JEAN GOCHENOUR The small note on her door read, "Come in". Even at 91, Nina Jean Gochenour extended her southern hospitality to all who approached. Her home in Chico was a gathering spot for the Bidwell Presbyterian baby blanket group and her kitchen table a place where many a friend lingered over coffee and cookies. Jean gave each visitor the gift of her complete attention, as she laughed, prayed and sometimes wept with them. Born in Tennessee on August 3, 1927 to William Phillip Mathis and Lillian Bell, her family soon moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where she was raised and at 18 entered the University of Alabama. There she met and married the dashing ex-Air Force officer, Joel, and they began married life by travelling across country to settle in Massachusetts. It was a sign of adventures to come, as the couple spent a lifetime travelling from Europe to the Middle East, to Africa, and the South Pacific, always returning home to California. For many years Portola Valley, CA was her home between adventures, where she made lifelong friends in the Ladera Community Church. Jean was the mother to two children and the support staff for a family of four that crossed continents sometimes on a yearly basis. Her friends hailed from different lands, practiced different religions, and broadened her horizons through their cultural diversity. Over twenty years ago, Joel retired and the couple settled in Chico, CA. Jean drew her strength from a deep faith and each morning rose for meditation and prayer. She was an avid water colorist, gardener and practiced Yoga into her eighties. She loved to read and spent nights catching up on contemporary novels. She was an eternal optimist, hopeful, helpful and loving, her joyful spirit will be missed. Jean passed away on January 30th, 2019 at the Almond Blossom Assisted Living Facility in Chico CA. She is survived by her son, William Fendal Gochenour and his wife Kathy, her daughter, Susan Gochenour Hatch and her husband Robert, four grandchildren, Jennifer Feagins Dekker, Garret Feagins, Richard Hatch and Melissa Hatch, great-grandchild, Sierra Feagins, niece, Margaret Victoria Mathis, and two nephews, William Franklin Mathis, Jr. and Christopher Mathis. Jean was pre-deceased by her husband Joel George Gochenour and brother William Franklin Mathis, Sr. Please make any donations in Jean's honor to the Jesus Center in Chico, CA. A service celebrating Jean's life will take place at Bidwell Presbyterian Church at 10 am on Saturday, April 13. Join us as we celebrate a life well lived!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chico Enterprise-Record on Apr. 7, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Jean Gochenour

Sponsored by ChicoER.com.

15 Entries

Mary Leahy

April 1, 2021

I miss you, my dear friend and neighbor.

Mary Leahy

April 1, 2020

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Virginia Willis Adamson

December 21, 2019

Jean was a friend of my mother, Margaret H. Willis. I suspect that they were classmates in elementary or high school in Birmingham. Our family visited the Gochenhours in 1966. I remember wonderful Christmas cards with a letter every year. I believe mother and Jean were in touch until late 2017 after mother moved to assisted living.

I just found that Jean had passed away as I was searching for a way to contact her to let her know that mother passed away on December 3, 2019. They were long time friends! I know Margaret and Jean are having a grand time in heaven!

KAREN SESNON

April 23, 2019

Jean truly was a woman of warmth. In my years at Bidwell Presbyterian she always took a sincere interest in me and seemed to be a person really at peace with herself and others. Her joy-filled face could really brighten your day. Rest in peace, rise in glory. I was blessed to know her.

Amy Mickelson-Beadle

April 18, 2019

I was a neighbor of Jean's as well as a member of Bidwell Pres with her. She was a delightful woman who was so kind and gracious. I so enjoyed my time with her. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to attend her service. Many prayers to her family as they transition to life here without her.

April 12, 2019

Jean was a wonderful woman and will be missed by so many! We are happy that we had the pleasure of knowing her and truly enjoyed her visiting us with Sue in Ukiah, CA, where we live. Charles spent hours talking to her that evening - she was such a good listener. Great memories!

Our deepest sympathy to Sue, Rob, Rich, Missy, and Jean's entire family.

Alanna Crowell

April 9, 2019

Though I only had the pleasure of knowing her three short months, she impacted my life in a way that I could never put into words. Jean was truly a beautiful soul, an angel walking among us. She always made sure to point out the joys in life, to always support, and to share her love with others. I will think of you always Jelly Bean and know that you are here with me.

At our christmas cookie party.

Alanna Crowell

April 9, 2019

Garret Feagins

April 8, 2019

We lost one of the greats. There are few people that have really changed me, forged me into the man I am today. Her charm, charisma, insight, love, compassion, helped make me a better person. I am eternally grateful for who she was and who she will always be to me. I am one of the luckiest people on the planet to have had the honor of calling this fantastic woman my Grandmother. There won't be another Jean Gochenour, but dang it, there should be. Everyone should have a Grandma Jean.

April 7, 2019

Jean and I met through Ladera Community Church. I treasure memories of early morning tennis singles, all sorts of church-related gatherings and fascinating stories from her years overseas with Joel and at first with Sue and Bill. We enjoyed bike rides in Bidwell Park, with doughnut stops for Joel, trips to Paradise and on and on. She will always have a place in my heart.

Shirley Leisses, now in Cupertino, California

Kathy Gochenour

April 7, 2019

I have known Jean for 33 years when I married her son in 1986. I liked her immediately. We became even closer when we moved to Chico in 1995. She became my second mom since my mom lived so far away. We had great times shopping and lunching together quite often. We knew each others likes and dislikes and celebrated our differences. Sometimes I think I knew her better than she knew herself. I spent many an afternoon sitting at her kitchen table with ice tea and she always had a treat to share. I have so many great memories of her and her husband. We would go on vacations together and have a blast. The one I remember best is when we took her to the redwoods and she had her first camping experience in a tent. I got so used to her living right around the corner and Im going to miss her so much. She was truly someone I called a friend, not just my mother-in-law.

Mary Leahy

April 7, 2019

Jean and I met when we both moved to Chico. She has always been there for me.

Mary Leahy

April 7, 2019

Jean was a lovely lady. She is loved and missed. I miss calling her after the News Hour to discuss some item of the news.