In Memory

Jeanne Ketchum

Mike Reed provided notice of Jeanne Ketchum's passing, after receiving a phone call from her former husband.

The following is her obituary, published in the Oregonian on September 5th.

Nancy Jeanne Ketchum of Portland, Ore., peacefully passed away Aug. 27, 2021 at Meridian Park hospital. "Jeannie" as her friends knew her, was a vivacious lady. Her blue eyes were captivating. Her energy was contagious. Jeannie was born June 3, 1943.
Jeannie's life was a gamut of experiences, learning, loving, and playing. While in high school in Mt. Lebanon, Pa., she not only excelled academically, but was one of the 50 "Rockettes" who performed on the field with the band at football halftimes. These young women were the most glamorous on the planet. After high school, Jeannie attended Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Va., studying English. After two years at Randolph Macon, Jeannie transferred to Denison University in Ohio where she graduated with honors in English.
After college Jeannie became a flight attendant with United Airlines. In 1967, Jeannie married Roger Bossart, also of Mt. Lebanon. Regrettably, she had to leave United Airlines because the company did not allow "stewardesses" to be married. In 1976, they divorced, but until her passing remained the closest of friends.
In the early 80's, Jeannie graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore., with a brand new law degree which took her to Chicago and back to United Airlines as a labor-relations attorney. After several demanding, yet very successful years in Chicago, she returned to Portland as a United Airlines, Customer Service Representative.
She finally decided that her family, friends, her home, her art, and her garden were where she needed to spend her energy and time. She loved trying out delicious new menus and hosting friends for dinner and conversation routinely at her home. She was solely responsible for planning, designing, planting and nurturing her backyard garden "sanctuary." Jeannie had a circle of friends that were her "family."
Jeannie's passing was caused by a kidney disorder. The doctors and nurses at Meridian Park hospital were wonderful caring for Jeannie. Tami Ritacco, one of Jeannie's closest friends was the only support person allowed in the hospital to see Jeannie because of COVID. Tami was by Jeannie's side for 10 days. At Jeannie's request, there is no formal memorial service, however friends will be invited to get together at a future date to remember this great lady. Any donations should be made in Jeannie's name to the World Wildlife Foundation.



 
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09/14/21 11:27 AM #1    

Jeanne Benson

Jeanne and I took a weekend in Ocean City, New Jersey after graduation...she was great to be with, inventive, energetic and amazing.  It was a wild and wonderful time in our lives, and a weekend that I never forget. She even helped me plan the "excuse" for our sunburns...."Amazingly she had a sun lamp!"   we each exclaimed to our families......I shall keep the memory alive.


09/18/21 11:15 AM #2    

Bill Wicker

I was saddened to learn that the likeable Jeanne Ketchum had passed from us.  Since I first met her in Miss Patterson's ninth-grade Latin class, I had an affectionate regard for her.  This led me to remember a bizarre incident from that class.

Jeanne was an exceptional student, always prepared.  One day, Miss Patterson, quite out of the ordinary, called upon Jeanne to come to the front of the class to conduct the day's lesson.  She seemed hesitant to get up, (who, me?) but did so, and strode forward confidently.

After performing brilliantly, Jeanne returned to her desk and promptly fainted to the floor.  We were all sympathetic in our concern for her.  In a few moments, she revived and sat at her desk, resuming normally, probably wondering what just happened.

I found this photo of Jeanne surrounded by her Range Rockette friends that I wanted to share with the great Class of '61.  L-R; Dana Smith, Sheila Lynott, Jeanne Ketchum, Judy Driscoll and Jill Hagen.  Dazzling smiles! 

Wonderful memories.

Bill Wicker


09/20/21 04:29 PM #3    

Catherine (Kit) Irwin (Klaber)

We moved from Magnolia Place to Beverly Road during the summer before 7th grade, and the woman who bought our house called and asked me if I would go over and meet her daughter, Jeanne, who was, also, starting 7th grade at Mellon. Jeanne and I sat in her new backyard and compared notes. We both liked music and were going to be in the same chorus section, the 7-7's. Fun!  But what I recall most about that first meeting was an interesting sounding food that she described in full. She said she had tasted it in Chicago, and it was spectacular. I went home later thinking about my new, sophisticated, friend and that mouthwatering pie she had told me about. And I decided to imprint the name of it on my mind in case I ever saw it on a menu in Pittsburgh. It was called "pizza."  We last enchanged emails in June of 2021. She wrote from Portland that the Covid winter had been lonely, and she was happy to be outside again, working in her garden. Rest in peace, dear friend.


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