It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and best friend, Jeanne Louise Skinner, known to her family, lovingly, as “Grandma Skinner.” Jeanne was taken from us on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, very unexpectedly, as a result of a tragic automobile accident that occurred while she was visiting family in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Jeanne was born July 29, 1930, in Nampa, Idaho, to Edward and Louise Clark; she was their only child. Jeanne grew up in western Idaho before attending Idaho State University in Pocatello, where she met her husband of 58 years, Emery “Bud” Skinner.

Shortly after they married, Jeanne and Bud spent time working in Utah at the lodge in Zion National Park. After a few weeks as hard-working newlyweds at Zion, Jeanne was not sure that she was getting adequate attention. So, she packed her steamer trunk and was adamant that she would go home. But they had no car and the bus only ran once a week. So, dragging a steamer trunk while walking down the road seemed impractical and the marriage was saved.

From Zion, their life journey took Jeanne and Bud to Jordan Valley, Ore., then to Vale, Ore., where Bud was a county school superintendent.

In 1965, Bud and Jeanne moved to Eugene, Ore., where Jeanne worked for the University of Oregon in its news bureau and Bud pursued a doctoral degree. Jeanne and Bud eventually moved to eastern Oregon and settled in Ontario, Ore., where Bud took a position as the president of Treasure Valley Community College.

After “launching” three rambunctious boys, Chris, Robert and Jon, Jeanne re-entered the working world in Ontario, Ore., as a social worker for the Oregon Department of Adult and Family Services, eventually rising to the level of district manager for the Eastern Oregon region served by that agency.

Along the way and while still working full time, Jeanne chose to complete her formal education and obtained a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Ore. In 1992, Jeanne retired after many years of public service. She and Bud moved to their final home in Oak Harbor that same year.

While living in Oak Harbor, Jeanne was active in the Oak Harbor chapter of P.E.O., an organization whose mission she strongly supported. She enjoyed many hours (most waking hours, according to Bud) playing bridge with several groups of friends. Jeanne often took the Oak Harbor Senior Center activity bus to Seattle to attend events put on by the Seattle Opera and Seattle Symphony.

The Oak Harbor Senior Center was an incredible source of joy for her. Jeanne also enjoyed daily walks with her beloved dog, Carlisle “Carly” Skinner and her dear friend, Carol Baggett.

Jeanne’s refrigerator door had just one magnet and it bore the slogan, “Always Try To Be The Person That Your Dog Thinks You Are,” a statement that is perhaps the most concise description of the beautiful lady that she was. Jeanne was an eternal optimist, finding good traits in everyone and believing that the “glass was always half full.”

Jeanne’s life on Whidbey Island and in Oak Harbor was a wonderful and very pleasant experience for her. After living many years in the desert environs of eastern Oregon, Jeanne loved living near the water among giant, green fir trees and in the company of friendly deer and curious birds.

During her years in Oak Harbor, Jeanne met many dear friends and their company and friendship enriched her life in many, many ways. One of her favorite mottoes that will be familiar to family and those dear friends, was “When you have a cat on your lap, you don’t have to get up for anything (like taking out the garbage, or doing the dishes).” There was no animal on this planet that didn’t have Jeanne’s love and affection.

Jeanne’s husband, Bud, passed away in 2009. Bud was very committed to public schools and volunteered with the Oak Harbor Education Foundation, an organization that Jeanne also supported. Jeanne remained close to Bud’s surviving siblings and their spouses after his death: Karen and Dean Musselman of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Lois and Neil Smith of Ogden, Utah. Sadly, Karen Musselman died in the same automobile accident that took Jeanne’s life. Karen’s husband Dean was hospitalized after that accident with serious injuries but is expected to recover.

Jeanne is survived by three sons and their wives, Chris and Debbie Skinner, who reside in Oak Harbor; Dr. Robert Skinner and Dr. Sue Skinner, who reside in Portland, Ore.; and Jon and Jill Skinner, who live in Sacramento, Calif. Jeanne had nine grandchildren, Paul, Justin, Kristine, Laurel, Catherine, Beverly, Joseph, Janie and Jeremy; and two great-grandchildren Olivia and Braiden, all of whom loved her deeply and will miss her greatly; as will many other family members and friends.

A memorial gathering and celebration of life is planned for Saturday Oct. 1, 2016, at 4 p.m. at the Whidbey Golf and Country Club located off Swantown Road in Oak Harbor.

Jeanne’s family asks that, in lieu of flowers, any memorials be donated to the Oak Harbor Education Foundation or the Oak Harbor Chapter of P.E.O.