Person:Helen Easton (1)

Helen Jean Easton Wardwell, 79, of Santa Rosa, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, following a brief illness. She was born Oct. 31, 1926, in Pacific Grove in 1926 to Lida and Horace Easton. Jeanie, as she was known to her family and friends, spent her first few years on her family's Indian Valley ranch out of San Miguel and was the youngest of four children, Bob, Marjorie and Phyllis. Following her mother's death, Jeanie grew up with her Aunt Helen and Uncle Alton Emery and three cousins, Jack, Don and Jean, in rural Salinas. Jeanie attended college in Santa Barbara, where she met her husband, Robert J. Wardwell, enjoyed studying music and graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing. Following graduation, Jeanie and Bob lived in Oregon near the McKenzie River, where their son Gregory was born. After several happy years of enjoying fishing and camping, the Wardwells moved back to Salinas to be closer to family. After their daughter Kim was born, Jeanie then worked as a surgical nurse at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital for the next 35 years, while also raising her family. She was well-respected by her colleagues at the hospital for her skill, hard work and professionalism and served as an excellent role model for her daughter, who also studied nursing. Jeanie was an avid gardener and had a special love for sweet peas, begonias and roses. The peace rose was her favorite, and she was fond of giving this as a gift to many in her family. She also enjoyed singing and enlivened many a family gathering with her favorite Scottish songs and ballads while playing cards. After her husband, Bob, died in 1994, Jeanie lived with her sister Phyllis Medlen in Bridgeport, Texas, for a brief time before finally settling near her children in Santa Rosa. During her retirement, Jeanie enjoyed following sports, current events and politics and never failed to speak her mind regarding issues she felt passionately about. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Vanessa, Fiona and Zack, and traveling with her cousin, Jean, once or twice a year in California, Maine and Washington, D.C. She continued to enjoy gardening, and also rock hunting, on trips back to Indian Valley to visit her sister, Marjorie, and family. Despite several tragic losses early in her life of family and loves, Jeanie had an indomitable spirit to fight and care for those she loved. She had a gift for showing love to those around her and keeping connections with family through letters and phone calls. Jeanie was especially loved by her family for her spunk, wit and sense of humor, and she will be tremendously missed.

Services: At Jeanie's request, there will be no service. Interment: Family will witness the interment of her ashes in Pacific Grove in March. -The (Salinas) Californian 19 March 2006

1. ↑ The (Salinas) Californian 19 March 2006.

   The (Salinas) Californian 19 March 2006

2. ↑ The (Salinas) Californian 19 March 2006.