Jeanne West

1946 - 2021

Jeanne West
December 14, 1946 - December 28, 2021
Olympia, Washington - Nana Jeanne Obituary
For those who might have known her through her many decades in Olympia, we share with you the recent passing of Jeanne Marie West. Though we regret her recent misfortunes in health after just 75 short years, we celebrate her many good fortunes in life and in love.
Jeanne was born to an Air Force family and lived a nomadic and international childhood, which gave her both an affinity for world travel and an aversion to Alaskan winters. She studied in Colorado, honing an unpretentious wit and a keen emotional intelligence, avoiding algebra at all costs. Right after school, she met her husband and life partner John Segerson, who we also lost in 2019. Lured by the mild climate and the briny oysters, she and John settled in the Pacific Northwest with their two boys Nathan and Forest, calling Olympia their home since 1975.
As a mother, Jeanne was devoted, selfless, warm, loving, and wise. Professing to her kids the value of education and community involvement, she accrued many great friendships at Steamboat Island Preschool, Griffin Elementary, and Capital High. When parenting duties eased, Jeanne earned a Master's Degree from St. Martin's University, and began her career in vocational rehabilitation. Before long, the many professional relationships she developed in the industry allowed the launch of her own firm, West Vocational Services, which thrived for many years until her retirement.
She loved to travel. Though her 'golden years' were far too brief, she and John still enjoyed many worldly adventures with treasured friends. She gardened well, golfed poorly, and her spaghetti and meatballs were legendary. As John's health faltered, she was a devoted soldier in the battle, just as her own battle began. She savored time with her beloved mother and soul mate Mary West, age 107, with whom she spoke by phone nearly every day. Perhaps most defining of all was her limitless adoration for her three granddaughters Sophie, Sammy, and Izzy, who all miss her dearly.
Although we say goodbye to Jeanne, we treasure many surviving memories of her devotion to family, her empathic intuition, her confident humility, her conversational wit and charm, her infectious laugh, and most of all, her love.
A memorial will be held this Spring. To share thoughts & memories, contact segerson@gmail.com.