Jeane Kutner

Jeane Kutner, a three-year resident of Oak Harbor, died May 10, 2005, after an extended illness at Homeplace, Inc. of Oak Harbor. She was born Feb. 26, 1917, in Lambert, Mont., to Emil and Bessie Redlin.

Jeane spent her school years in the Seattle area, where she graduated from Roosevelt High School. She began her higher education at the University of Washington and then moved on to Juilliard School of Music in New York, where she studied piano. Jeane had a deep love for music and especially piano. She was an accomplished pianist in her own right. She was fortunate enough to own a Steinway Baby Grand, which she had to sell prior to moving back to Seattle after her husband’s retirement. Jeane would not sell her prize possession to just anyone, it had to be a Juilliard student, even if that student could only afford half of what she was offered by others.

In 1944 Jeane married the love of her life, Maurice B. Kutner, whom she met while she attended Juilliard and he attended Columbia University, New York. They were married at her parent’s Vassar Avenue, Seattle home. Initially, they lived on Whidbey Island since Maurice was a Navy pilot stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station during World War II. After the war they moved to Long Island, N.Y., where they raised their family, and then into New York City before retiring to Seattle in the mid-1980s.

As a homemaker, Jeane was involved with activities such as the PTA, and playing the piano for Sunday school classes, as well as being a leader for her children’s scout troupes. Personally, along with her music, she enjoyed working in the garden, reading — especially autobiographies, sewing and fashion. Socially, Jeane and Maurice were avid bridge players during their years in New York and kept up their game in Seattle. As well as bridge, they enjoyed the performing arts, attending the symphony, opera, musicals and plays on both coasts. Music meant a great deal to her so that she was delighted to be able to give a donation to the building of Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle.

Jeane is survived by her three children, Karen and husband Charlie Katinas of Greenbank, daughter Shelley Kutner of San Francisco, and son Kenneth M. Kutner of White Horse, Yukon Territory, Canada.

For those who would like to honor Jeane’s memory, the family has requested that donations be made either to Homeplace, Inc. of Oak Harbor or to the National Alzheimer’s Association.