Jeanette Naomi Otis

Jeanette Naomi (Anderson) Otis was born in Elmhurst, Illinois on August 30, 1937 to Otis and Naomi Anderson. Her family relocated to the Pacific Northwest during her grade school years.

Jeanette graduated as salutatorian from high school in Chehalis, Washington, and went on to earn a Chemistry degree with honors from Washington State University (WSU), followed by a teaching certificate from Central Washington University. At WSU she was an active member of the Delta Gamma Sorority where she made lifelong friends. While at college she met Harley Otis on a blind date that would lead to their wedding on September 19, 1959 and 66 years of marriage.

Jeanette's early career included teaching positions in Tacoma and at Fife High School. After moving to Graham, Jeanette's work centered around co-building and managing the Greenwood Mobile Home Park with Harley and raising their two boys. The house she and Harley built together was a favorite gathering place, frequented by family and friends, filled with Jeanette's handiwork, and surrounded by her extensive garden.

Jeanette was constantly moving, tending to her garden, cows and people, and sewing, knitting and creating art. She created nearly everything by hand, with precision, sewing everything from wedding dresses and suit coats to Halloween costumes and doll clothes for her grandkids. She knitted hundreds of blankets for Project Linus. In retirement, Jeanette traveled to every state in the U.S., visiting friends and family, and taking more than a decade of art classes from Tacoma Community College where she learned techniques for wood, bronze and stone sculpturing.

Jeanette passed away from heart failure on January 1, 2026, surrounded by family. She is survived by her husband, Harley; sons, Patrick and Steven (Kelly); grandchildren, Spencer, Stella, Conner, and Cassidy; and many extended family members and friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date (contact Patrick.otis@gmail.com or phone Steve, 206.526.7178 for more details). In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome for TCC Art Foundation directly at foundationinfo@tacomacc.edu