Jeannie Carlye Henry

With great sadness, our family said goodbye to an incredible human being. Jeannie played many roles in her life. A loving wife (to Price-predeceased), mother (Cris and Mary) grandmother (Ariana, Nils, Justin, Carly, Emma), sister (Joann-predeceased) aunt (Karen, Lori, Judy, Mike, Jeanie), mother-in-law (Annette and Scott) and community member. Jeannie lived a life full of love, devotion, humor and with an undaunting faith in God and in the human spirit. She recognized beauty everywhere and was in awe of both the grand and simple facets of life. Whether it was a beautiful sunset, the laughter of children, the delicate smell of a rose, the intricacy of a spider's web, music filling the air around her, light shifting through leaves, animals enjoying romps around the yard, the simple presentation of a meal, or the laughter enjoyed with friends and family at parties - she found joy in it all.

Born in the small mining town of Jerome, Arizona, Jeannie and her beloved sister created many memories growing up together. They loved, laughed, and faced the challenges of a changing world while always maintaining a loving bond throughout life. She adored her sister, nieces and nephews as well as her grand nieces and nephews.

Married to Price Henry, Jeannie was a devoted and supportive wife. When Price was severely burned in an experimental test flight, Jeannie spent countless hours at his side in the hospital. She kept bugs from accessing his IV tubes and would sneak their first of many cocker spaniels named Candy in to see him, raising his spirits.

As a mom to Cris and Mary, she was all we hope to be as parents. She cared for our skinned knees and hurt feelings and taught us the value of hard work, compassion and humor. She encouraged us to be our best and to reach high for our goals. If we were acting out-of- line, she would give us the "look" that generally put us back in our place. Mother-in law to Annette and Scott, she welcomed both with open arms and loved them as her own kids. We never left our house without her blessing, "Go with God, go with love and go in peace". She was our rock.

As a grandmother to Ariana, Nils, Justin (Cris and Annette), Carly and Emma (Mary and Scott) she knew she could spoil them as only a grandma can. Time for a tea party? Of course. Would you like an Almond Joy? And, at sporting events or music recitals; she was always the proudest fan.

Jeannie was not only mom to Cris and Mary and grandma to Carly, Emma, Justin, Ariana and Nils, she was considered "mom" and "grandma" to their friends as well. She embraced all their friends and offered support to them as if they were her own children.

Jeannie served her community in a variety of ways. Whether through Valley Churches, St. Andrews, PEO, the Daisy, or Hospice of Santa Cruz, Jeannie enjoyed giving to others and working for a community that provides for others.

Our family would like to thank all of the fabulous caregivers, hospice nurses and health aides that not just cared for Jeannie's physical needs but made her laugh and feel pampered and loved during the last years of her life. With great appreciation, thank you: Sue, Sheila, Yahoska, Ivonne Julia, Kendra, Esperanza, Rosario, Rosario, and Thania.

A celebration of Jeannie's life will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2024 from noon to 3pm at the River House, 200 Holiday Lane in Ben Lomond. As mom lived a life of charity, donations in her name would be welcome at: Valley Churches, Santa Cruz Hospice, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Ben Lomond or the SPCA.

Published in Press Banner · July 15, 2024