Jean Harkness Eddy

Saturday, February 25, 2012. Jean was born Ida Jean Harkness, January 9, 1921 in

Dinuba, California. Her family moved to the Bay Area when she was young and she attended and graduated from Berkley High, attending Fresno State College for a time after graduation. In 1942, while working in the Visalia area, she met the love of her life, Harvey Eddy, who was in training with the Army-Air Corps at the local training base. After a whirlwind 3 month courtship they married and moved to Oregon, where their first child, Carol, was born. Shortly thereafter Harvey was sent to the Pacific and she moved back with Carol to live with her parents until Harvey returned, 2 1/2 years later when the War ended. After the war they stayed with her parents while Harvey worked during the week in Fresno coming home on the week-ends. Their second child, Anita, was born during this time. As fate would have it, Harvey was offered a regular commission in the newly formed US Air Force, which he accepted. She met the challenge of the next 24 years in the Air Force, of moving, meeting new friends, making a home, (one time having to live in quarters with 2 other families), and giving birth to 3 more children, Patricia, John, and Susan, with her hallmark sense of humor and grit. She was active in the Air Force Wivesʼ clubs serving on their boards in many capacities, including President. She and Harvey retired in Maryland in 1971, and she continued her work with the Andrewʼs AFB Wivesʼ club, managing the base Thrift Shop for many years until they moved back to California in 1979. She was active in the Episcopal church in Sutter Creek, managing the church Thrift Shop, serving on the EWOC as President, and working with Harvey every year at the churchʼs Sourdough Days. She was an accomplished leader who lead with her intelligence, humor, and wit, and was loved by all who knew her. She and Harvey moved to Auburn in the late 1980ʼs and she became active in the Senior Center, working the tour desk, enjoying the people, the trips, and keeping everyone laughing. She volunteered in the Hospice Thrift Shop for many years after Harvey died. She was a loving mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed. Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Brigadier General Harvey Eddy, and her daughter, Carol Velican. She is survived by her daughters, Anita LeVan and husband Dennis, of San Antonio, Texas, Patricia Eddy of Auburn, Susan Greth of Sacramento, and son John Eddy and wife Carol, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 14 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held March 8, 2012, at 1 p.m., at Chapel of the Hills in Auburn, with a funeral and internment with Harvey at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC at a later date.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of the Hills, Auburn, CA.