Jean Morris Boley

1918 - 2014

Jean Morris Boley

Jean Morris Boley was born on June 9, 1918 in Zillah, Washington to Ross and Anna Morris. Encouraged by her father, an engineer and farmer who founded an irrigation district in the Lower Yakima Valley, she developed a love of learning and an active imagination. Eager to leave her small farming community, she enrolled in the University of Washington. There she met Jack Boley, who was advertising editor for the University Daily. They married in 1937, beginning a 63 year partnership that incorporated careers, friendships and adventures that spanned the globe. One of her first adventures was narrowly escaping a fire that destroyed her home. The sound of her kitten scratching on the window alerted her to the fire. Afterward, she never found the cat who saved her life.

Jack and Jean raised five children, living in Seattle, Portland, Yakima and Washington D.C. Eventually, they owned a radio station in Anaconda, Montana until their retirement. They joined the Peace Corps and served for five years until health problems forced their return. Jean's kind and accepting personality endeared her to the villagers in Fiji and the artisans in the Dominican Republic whom they served.

The couple actively participated in community activities wherever they lived, including early efforts to incorporate what was then the Shoreline District as a city. Jean pursued her own passions, including classes in writing and painting. She worked as a bookkeeper and office manager in a variety of professional settings.

Jean lived in Seattle following Jack's death in 2000. She died peacefully on March 23, 2014. She will be remembered for her graceful beauty and her playful stories about people and locales from distant places and times.

Jean is survived by her five children, John (Margarette) of St. Louis, Missouri, Steven (Kathi Murphy-Boley) of Athens, Texas, Todd (Susan Carson) of Alameda, California, Peter (Norman Bauer) of Seattle, Carrie Brown of West Seattle, nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.