Jeanne Pack Finan

Jeanne was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Rose and Gene Pack.

While living in Montgomery, Alabama, Jeanne met and married Lt. Col. George K. Finan II, and together, along with their four children, they traveled the United States and the world before settling in Austin, Texas.

While stationed in England, Jeanne completed her bachelor's degree in political science from The University of Maryland, European Division. She later obtained her master’s degree in political science from Texas State University.

In addition to being the loudest cheerleader at her children’s games, meets, competitions, and concerts, Jeanne was an accomplished marathoner, picking up hardware at a myriad of local races and ultimately attaining her goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

Jeanne spent many years as a government professor at Austin Community College, a position that perfectly combined her love of advocacy with her passion for politics. She loved a good debate and frequently invited local politicians from varying parties and affiliations to speak to her students with the hope that it would foster in them a sense of understanding, compromise, and open-mindedness. Jeanne was also a proud feminist. In her early years, she served as President of Alabama Housewives for ERA, corresponding with State and U.S. Senators to advocate for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Jeanne also delighted in subtle acts of kindness that ranged from surprising neighbors with bright bouquets to slipping cash to her grandchildren with the caveat that they use some of it to help someone else.

A gifted cook and consummate host, Jeanne’s favorite times were spent in the kitchen, spanning robust holiday celebrations with friends, family, and first-time invitees, to impromptu dance parties inspired by her expansive music collection to intimate, food-fueled late-night conversations. The innumerable guests who walked through Jeanne’s door were automatically welcomed like family. Once you ate at Jeanne’s table, you forever had a seat there.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Gene Pack, her siblings Jackie Pack Johnson and Patrick Pack, and her husband of 43 years, George Finan. She is survived by her four children: Candace Cox, Gina Finan (Paris DuRante), Benjamin Finan (Diana Nguyen), and Kristin Finan (Patrick Badgley).

Of Jeanne’s many roles, one of her most prized was being a grandmother, or “nonna,” to her seven grandchildren—Kona Badgley-Finan, Mirielle Badgley-Finan, Lashiah Badgley-Finan, Joaquin Badgley-Finan, Marley Brown, Allie Brown, and Peregrine Nguyen-Finan—with whom she adored cooking, playing cards, shopping, traveling to Port Aransas and Destin, and blowing kisses.

Jeanne was an avid dog-lover who particularly cherished her three rescue pups — Cricket, Stetson, and Yoda. As such, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Austin Humane Society.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX, 78749.