Jean Taylor Brunjes

She was born Jean Ann Taylor on April 5, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Helen Murdoch Taylor and James Griffin Taylor. Jean and her younger sister, Margaret “Peg” Taylor Hanks (April 30, 1942 – September 22, 2020), grew up surrounded by a large, close-knit extended family: 16 aunts and uncles (eight on each side), many cousins, and grandparents from England and Scotland. Her fondest childhood memories were of holiday gatherings around a big table, a tradition she would continue throughout her life. She grew up with a passion for theater and musicals, and she was equally known for her lifelong devotion to reading and learning. She attended Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mount Holyoke College in 1962, where she was heavily involved in theater, serving as director, technical director, and performer.

After graduating, Jean moved to Pasadena, California, where she held editorial roles at the Saturday Evening Post and West Magazine, the weekly magazine of the Los Angeles Times. Peg soon joined her in Southern California, and the two lived together in Pasadena for several years; Peg later settled in Palo Alto to raise her family. On June 11, 1966, Jean married Shannon Diedrich Brunjes (July 19, 1927 – October 5, 2005), and became a mother to his daughters, Caroline and Dorothy. The family later moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where Shannon was a professor and researcher, and Jean earned a Master of Public Health from Yale University in 1976. She held editorial and leadership positions at Yale Medical School and the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, while working on federally funded public health research projects. During this time at Yale, Jean and Shannon welcomed two children, James and Margaret.

The family returned to Pasadena, California, in the late 1970s. In the early 1980s, Jean’s parents moved in with the family during their final years. She devoted herself to family life and caregiving while pursuing her professional and creative interests. She remained connected to her love of theater by volunteering with the Nine O'Clock Players, bringing live theater to children in the Los Angeles area. Always one to stay busy, she ran a catering business with a friend, sharing her affinity for cooking and hosting gatherings. Jean was an active member of All Saints Church and frequently volunteered at Polytechnic School, where her children attended. In 1992, she earned her second graduate degree, a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from Pacific Oaks College. She went on to work as a psychiatric social worker, supporting adolescents and families and supervising colleagues in hospital settings. Amid all these pursuits, Jean hosted many holiday gatherings, welcoming extended family, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and anyone else who needed a place at the table.

In 2001, Jean and Shannon moved to Altadena, California, entering an empty-nest chapter of their lives. Shannon retired, and they got a dog, Snowbelle, who became a beloved companion and comforted Jean after Shannon died in 2005. She continued her hospital work while staying connected with her children, grandchildren, and extended family.

She retired in 2018 at age 78 and moved to Portland, Oregon, to be closer to family, beginning a meaningful, family- and community-centered final chapter. At Northwest Place, she served on the welcoming committee and led a book club, quickly becoming a valued member. She found great joy in sharing her love of books and theater with her grandchildren and watching them all grow over the years. Jean was intellectually curious, generous with her time, and grateful for her life. She had an exceptional gift for friendship and connection. Even as she transitioned to memory care at MorningStar for her last two years, her kindness, warmth, and social grace remained unmistakable, and she was well-loved there.

Jean was predeceased by her husband of nearly 40 years, Shannon; her sister and brother-in-law, Peg and Tom Hanks; and her daughter, Dorothy. She is survived by her children, Caroline (Pierre) Bedard, James Brunjes, and Margaret “Maggie” (Patrick) Lind; her grandchildren; nieces and cousins; and countless friends whose lives she touched.

There will be a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Urban League of Portland (ulpdx.org/make-donation) to support their education, social justice, and community care for seniors programs.

We will all miss her.