Obituary: Hess, Mildred “Jean”
Age 89
She was raised during the Great Depression along with her two younger sisters, Bea and Pat.
Jean, her mom, and her sisters lived with Jean’s grandparents on the grandparents’ farm while the girls’ dad traveled around the country looking for work.
She met R.J. “Scott” Hess and they married in 1946.
They soon had two daughters, Donna and Barbara.
The family moved from Oregon to Spokane, Washington in 1959 for Scott’s work.
Jean loved to create things.
She was an artist, knitter, and crafter.
She liked to refinish old furniture and refurbish antiques.
She was an avid gardener who could make anything grow.
She also loved good food and was a pretty darn good cook, always willing to try new recipes while retaining the best of the old ones.
Jean and Scott enjoyed the game of golf and made many friends through the years at Wandermere Golf Course.
They spent a lot of their free time there, enjoying the game and the friendships.
Jean was a storyteller.
She always had a story to tell or a fact to share.
She loved to laugh and tell jokes and spend time with people.
She was also a good listener.
People knew that they could confide in her without judgment.
She was always happy to have people visit, and made people feel welcomed and comfortable in her home.
She loved to read.
Her living spaces were always padded with books, and she shared her love of reading with her children.
Although dementia finally took her memory, it never robbed her of her gift of gab, her quick smile, or her joy in living.
Jean died on October 17, 2015, and was preceded in death by her husband of almost 54 years, Scott, in 2000, and by their daughter Donna, who passed in 2014.
Jean is survived by her sister, Bea Albrecht, daughter Barbara Davies, son-in-law Greg, granddaughters Andrea and Susan, and three great-grandchildren.
The only memorial the family requests is that you raise your glass to toast Jean for a life well-lived.
Then, tell a funny story or a racy joke in her honor.
She’ll be laughing right along with you!