Celebrating the Life of
Jeanette Thompson
May 16, 1934 — April 13, 2021
About Jeanette
Jeanette was an extraordinary woman. Sweet, sassy, silly, and, most of all, loving. She loved flowers and the color purple. And yellow. And Johnny Mathis. And a good glass of wine. But most of all, she loved her family and her friends.
Obituary
Surrounded by the love of her family, Jeanette Ruth Thompson, 86, passed away in the early morning hours of April 13, 2021.
Jeanette was born in Minnesota in 1934 to Perry and Ruth. Jeanette arrived a few minutes before her twin, Janice and a few years before her brother, Perry and sister, RuthAnne.
In 1953, Jeanette earned her Raidiologic Technologist certificate, packed up her car and moved to California. Little did she know that she would soon meet the love of her life, Max, on a New Years Eve blind date. After several years of wedded bliss, Jeanette and Max welcomed their two daughters, Cynthia and Melanie. Many years later, Melanie and her husband, Robert made Jeanette a “Grandma” to her two cherished grandsons, Brett and Brad.
Always a go-getter, Jeanette was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, x-ray technician, Girl Scout leader, friend, artist, world-traveler and party planner. Jeanette had a vivacious personality and loved to people watch. Strangers often found themselves sharing details of their lives after sitting next to Jeanette for a few minutes. Jeanette made friends everywhere she went and enjoyed keeping in touch with all of them.
Jeanette is survived by her husband, Max, daughters: Cynthia (Scott) and Melanie (Robert), grandsons: Brett and Brad, sisters: Janice and RuthAnne as well as several nephews, nieces, cousins and friends too numerous to count. Jeanette is predeceased by her parents, brother, Perry and niece, Kathy.
Over all else, Jeanette loved her family and friends and always wanted them to be happy. Known to celebrate her birth month (rather than birthday), Jeanette would want her celebration to continue. In that vein, please join us for a celebration of Jeanette’s life on June 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. PDT. Although you know Jeanette would love it if you got dressed up, the celebration is virtual so please feel free to attend in Zoom comfortable clothes. The only rule is: No Moping.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans. (www.dav.org)
Memories and Condolences
Please share a photo or video, or post a heartfelt condolence to the family.
Mom and Dad on their wedding day - August 7, 1954. They eloped. The dress actually belongs to my Mom’s twin sister, Janice. I wore the dress during the party celebrating my parents 50th anniversaries
Mom & Dad showing off by the pool!
Mom & Dad on one of their many cruises.
Celebrating Mom’s 85th birthday at a Johnny Mathis concert!
Mom & Dad in Bora Bora!
The twins!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Beautiful Mom in her Red Hat!
Cindy"s 50th Birthday
Max's 80th birthday.
Mom and Malkovich
Mom & Dad - 50th wedding anniversary celebration.
Mom & Dad at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration.
The twins!
Thanksgiving 2011
At the river
Nola's wedding
Employee night at Disneyland
Christmas at the Gonzales'
I'll have what she's having
Christmas fun
Friends!
My forever cheerleader!
The twins 70th birthday celebration
Mom & her girls - 70th birthday celebration
The Jacobson siblings - RuthAnne, Janice, Jeanette, Perry
Mom & Nancy - Cruising
Melanie, Cindy, Jeanette, Max
Traveling around.
Mom & her Mom - Grandma Jacobson
Guatemala
Melanie's wedding
RuthAnne & Mom at the river
Hello Beautiful!
Gary & Mom
Traveling around
Grandma!
Brand new Mommy!
The 70's rock!
Mom & Dad, Melanie & Cindy
What a boss couple!
Bathing beauty!
Love having a Mom & Dad that takes you out of school to go on a cruise! Love, love love!
Beautiful couple!
Christmas in Cypress.
One of my favorite pictures! On a cruise with Vern & Nancy.
Cruising!
Another favorite - Mom in a bikini with a horse (name unknown)
I love that smile. And that hair!
What a cute couple!
Getting practice at being a mommy
Just Married! Janice, Max & Jeanette, Red
This picture is the embodiment of my Mom - beautiful, silly, sassy and a bit badass! Yes, that's a knife in her hand.
Graduation day
Mom & Grandma Jacobson
That smile! That mischievous twinkle!
Skiing at Lake Havasu.
Just kickin' it at Lake Havasu. So many good memories.
The twins!
Yep. My Mom, the queen!
Mom & Jay in Las Vegas.
My Mom LOVED balloons! Can you tell?
The Jacobson clan - Janice, Jeanette, Ruth, Perry, Perry & RuthAnne
The Jacobson siblings - Janice, Jeanette, RuthAnne & Perry
Mom and her girls.
Twins forever!
Twins!
Twins & Perry - Very proud of their snowman.
Growing up.
Grandma Jacobson & her twin babies - Jeanette & Janice
Family photo circa 1979
My beautiful, beautiful Mom!
My Mom loved to dance - here with Uncle Jim
Janice, Perry, Jeanette, RuthAnne & Grandma Jacobson
Brand new Mommy
New Years Eve
Teaching the next generation about life on the lake.
My favorite Jeanette story. The Birthday Chair. This photo is from one of my first visits to Cindy’s house for a birthday. It was here that I learned about the birthday chair. The honoree sat on the chair decorated with balloons, lots of them. It made a fun day even more special. Jeannette explained to me that this was their family tradition. Her creativity was at work in this small thing. When I became a parent, every birthday or special occasion had a balloon chair. I always think of Jeannette when I put out my balloons. :)
Jeanette, Janice, Ruth Anne Taken March 1993 The Norfolk Pine behind Jeanette was 12 “ tall when I brought it to our Mother for Christmas in 1984. Jeanette kept it alive all those years for mother.
Perry, Jeanette, Janice Glenn Jacobson’s Wedding - July 17, 1999
Max, Ruth Anne, Jeanette Taken on RA’s friend's patio August 7, 2012 Jeanette & Max’s 58th Wedding Anniversary
Janice, Ruth Anne, Jeanette Taken March 25, 2018 They were in MN for Brad’s Swim Competition. Mable Murphy’s in Fergus Falls MN
The 4 Jakes together. This was the breakfast for the twins 70th birthday celebration
This picture is of our kindergarten graduation. And I was mad because we couldn't walk down together to get our diplomas.
Max and Jeanette like to ride in my brothers boat at Lake Havasu and the River @ Parker Dam. My brother, Keith and my nephew, Blake and I are carrying on the passion our parents had for boating and the lake w Max and Jeanette and their girls. I will cherish these memories forever!
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