Jean Marie Prew

Jean M. Prew passed away on January 23, 2015, she was six weeks shy of her 94th birthday. Jean was able to remain in her home with little assistance up until 2 weeks prior to her passing. She was born on March 11, 1921 in Grandview, WA to Ben Gano (1889-1976) and Beatrice (Rosencrantz) Gano (1900-1961). Jean saw many things happen in her lifetime. She witnessed great changes in transportation, saw trips to space, major advances in electrical technology, computers and telephones. She lived through the great depression of the 1930's, through World War II, and Victory Gardens. She witnessed 16 presidents come into office, prohibition, women gaining the right to vote and major advances in medical science. Jean was the first patient to receive cyber knife cancer treatment at SW Washington Medical Center. Jean worked in the restaurant business for many years before opening her own restaurant, Jeanie's Coffee Cup, in Hazel Dell in the 1960's. She eventually sold the restaurant to her sister Lenore, before going to work for Clark County as cook/matron at the jail. Eventually she transferred to the juvenile facility which was located in a house at the time. Jean was a key driving force that helped design the building and program that we now have. Jean stayed with the county until her retirement. She then worked with the foster grandparent program tutoring at risk kids for 18 years. She also enjoyed gardening, flowers and cooking meals and goodies for family and friends. Some of her best times were spent at our local parks and lakes. She loved cat fishing and picnicking with her family. She lived to serve others. If there was anyone in need, she was the one that could make things happen to help the situation. In her later years, Jean found much joy in feeding the birds and squirrels who visited her porch many times daily. She named her favorites and could tell you the personalities of them all. The past few years Jean enjoyed writing books. She started off with memoirs and moved into writing little children's books for great nieces and others. Jean is survived by one son Don Wiese of Dallas, OR.; adopted daughter and grandson Cathy and Christopher Davis of Vancouver, WA; brother Ellis (Betty) Gano of Collville, WA; brother Ben (Shirley) of Ranier, OR; 8 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren and 7 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter Donna Thompson; sister Lenore Ford; parents Ben and Beatrice Gano and her partner for over 20 Years William Howard Prew. Jean wished to be cremated and to be scattered into the local waters she loved so much. There will be a celebration of life picnic this summer at Horseshoe Lake Park, which was one of her favorite picnic spots. "And in the end, it's not the years of life that count, it's the life in your years". Jean truly added life to her years. She did not sit and watch life go by. She got out there and lived life to its fullest.

Jean Marie Prew

March 11, 1921 - January 23, 2015