Jean (Dent) Garrison, 83, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Fieldstone Memory Care from natural causes. Born on July 29, 1934 to Vern and Vivian Dent, Jean was raised in Yakima and was greatly loved by friends and family.
Jean attended Central Washington University earning a degree in Education. Jean taught for almost 40 years, primarily at Selah Junior High, where she taught English and reading. Her love of teaching was unbounded, and was a calling that she held in highest honor. While teaching, building a family and raising children, she managed to earn two additional Masters degrees.
While attending Central she met Jerry and they married in 1954. Their 54 year marriage was a beautiful union, partnership and example for all married couples. Over the years, they created a family and raised four boys, Dale, Craig, Mike and Steve. Jean loved her family and dedicated her life to ensure their comfort, safety, success and happiness. Jean (and late husband Jerry) were devout Catholics and devoted their time to their faith and to God.
She and Jerry loved to travel and traveled outside the US, but primarily loved to hook up their trailer and hit the road to almost every place you can image in the US. Jean loved to sew and knit in her spare time, joining several quilting and knitting clubs. Jean believed in providing comfort to those who needed it most and volunteered at the Harman Center where she shared her knitting style, told stories and of course made many new friends. Jean never met a stranger; she could strike up a conversation with almost anyone. Jean also belonged to the local Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) and the Newcomers Club, a welcome group which helps new arrival families get acquainted with Yakima. She participated in monthly meetings, luncheons, baked meals, provided points of contact and instilled the welcoming friendship to those that made Yakima their new home.
Jean is survived by her sons Dale (Corrine), Craig (Suzanne), Mike (Devora), and Steve (Elaine), granddaughters Michelle, Jaclyn, Lauren, Jenna, Alexandra, Meghan, and Linsey, great-granddaughters Taylor, Emma, Anna, and Reese, cousin Thursa Shields Carter, niece June Betsch (Mick), several more nephews and nieces, and her trusted care-giver, Debbie Peavey.
A memorial mass service will be held at 10:30 on Friday the 4th of May in the Chapel of Holy Family Catholic Church. A reception will be held immediately following the service. A private family burial will be held at the Terrace Heights Memorial Park. To share a memory of Jean please visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made through Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home to the Alzheimer’s Association or The Washington State School Retired Teachers Foundation donate to, wsra foundation 4726 Pacific Avenue SE Lacy, WA 98503
