Jean O'Donnell

Jean Evelyn Boysen O'Donnell At rest December 5, 2010, after a courageous battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Jean, the second of four children of Clarence C. and Lola M. Boysen of Two Rock, CA, was born on December 23, 1924 in Petaluma General Hospital. Jean attended Walker Elementary School and graduated from Petaluma High School in 1942. She moved to San Francisco, where she attended Grace Ball Secretarial School and worked as a secretary at Matson Navigation Co.; Ross L. Perkins, CPA; Douglas T. Sterling Co.; Littler, Coakley & Lauritzen, Attorneys at Law; and Lillick, Geary, Olson, Adams & Charles, Attorneys at Law. During World War II, Jean volunteered at Letterman Hospital, The Stage Door Canteen, The Officers' Club, and The Red Cross. On June 5, 1949, Jean married the late attorney John Baldwin O'Donnell at St. Brigid's Church, and they enjoyed 56 years together until John's death in 2005. She moved to The Sequoias upon his death. They had three loving daughters who survive them: Kathleen Buys of Bermuda Dunes, CA; Susan Davenport (Thomas) of San Francisco, and Michele Holbrook (Dennis) of East Aurora, NY. Jean also leaves nine grandchildren: Eric Giles, Tara Lombardelli, Alisa Giles, Amy Hays, Emily Davenport, Ryan Holbrook, Jessica Holbrook, Ashley Holbrook, and Erin Holbrook, as well as seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her older sister Betty Altuvilla, and is also survived by her brother, John Boysen of Rocklin, and sister, Helen Graham of Petaluma. Jean volunteered for many years for such groups as The Golden Gate Kindergarten Auxiliary, the Auxiliary and Board of Directors of The Florence Crittenden Home, and the Auxiliary and various committees of the de Young Museum. Her involvement with the de Young was a particular pleasure, and she was a long-time member of the Flower Committee and the New Docent Programs Committee. She also took oil painting lessons there from Charles Lindstrom, and that past-time gave her many hours of pleasure. She was also a long-time member of The San Francisco Garden Club, The Century Club of San Francisco, and The Francisca Club. Jean's beautiful smile was unforgettable. Her impeccable style, elegance, honesty, integrity, and work ethic pervaded everything she did. She loved to travel, and she was a fabulous cook, a gracious hostess, a devoted friend, and loving matriarch. Although modest about her own considerable artistic talent, she was an unabashed patron of the arts. Her love of and skill with plants and flowers manifested themselves in an impressive garden she maintained at the family home in West Clay Park. A private burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 1111 Gough Street at Geary Blvd., San Francisco at 10:30 AM on Monday, December 13, 2010. A reception will follow at The Century Club, 1355 Franklin Street at Sutter, San Francisco. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts in Jean's name be sent to the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department, McLaren Lodge - Golden Gate Park, 501 Stanyan Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, or to the charity of your choice.