December 24, 2014 - December 24, 2014
Jean Lenore (Neely) Finnegan Obituary
(Age 92)
Jean Finnegan passed away on December 24, 2014. Born in 1922 in Estherville, Iowa, she lived her early childhood in Calder, ID along the St. Joe River. In 1936 the family moved to Bovill, ID. Soon thereafter her mother died and Jean went to live with her aunt in Lewiston, ID. She graduated in 1940 from Lewiston High School and two years later from Lewiston State Normal School, after which she taught in the elementary schools of Wenaskus, ID and Vanport, OR for five years. In 1946 Jean married Harry O. Finnegan in Portland, OR. In 1949, after Harry earned his MA in Education from Columbia University, NY, the couple settled in Spokane. They had two daughters, Susan and Janis. Harry continued to advance his career in education, earning a Ph.D. in Education from WSU, and opening the new Shadle Park and Ferris High Schools. Jean was there to encourage and support him. She was heavily involved in church and her girls? activities and schools. She had a flare for organizing social events and parties for her children and friends. She was known for her wonderful smile, generous spirit, and friendly personality. Jean relished a good book, loved her family and to travel, was an avid gardener, became an expert seamstress and had a lifelong love of animals. She was extremely talented in knitting and enjoyed sharing her amazing knitted doll characters with their hilarious stories. Jean is survived by her daughters, Susan J. Krebs of Redmond, WA, and Janis M. Saiki of Spokane, her son-in-law Gary Saiki and grandsons, Brandon Saiki of Helena, MT and Garrett Saiki of Spokane. Her husband of 31 years, Harry O. Finnegan; her parents, Myrtle L. and Alfred D. Neely; her beloved Aunt Luella C. Kettleson; and her older brothers Richard K. and Milton D. Neely preceded Jean in death. A Memorial Service will be held at Lincoln Heights Community Church (located at 29th and Freya) on January 17, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Union Gospel Mission at 1224 East Trent, Spokane, WA 99202. Cremation ashes will be interred alongside her husband at Spokane Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Spokane.
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