Jeannette Ruth East

Jeannette Ruth East, a kind soul with a radiant heart, passed away peacefully in her Ann Arbor home on May 20, 2025, just days after celebrating her 83rd birthday. Born on May 11, 1942, in Kansas City, Missouri, Jeannette lived a life rooted in compassion, joy, and quiet strength.

Equipped with a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University and a tireless work ethic, Jeannette served as secretary to the Head of Surgery at the University of Michigan Hospital - a role she filled with grace, dedication, and a deep respect for those she worked with and cared for.

Jeannette’s true passion blossomed beyond the hospital walls. She was most at peace with her hands in the earth, planting flowers. Her love for animals knew no bounds, and she gave generously of her time to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, offering warmth and comfort to those without voices and the Kiwanis Club—an organization devoted to serving children and families, a mission that spoke deeply to her nurturing heart.

To know Jeannette was to feel truly seen, heard, and cared for. She had a quiet magic about her, the kind that didn’t demand attention but offered it freely to those in need. She lived simply, laughed often, and loved endlessly.

She leaves behind a community of friends, colleagues, and fellow volunteers who will miss her deeply—but also remember her with smiles and stories, and with every bloom that dares to rise each spring.

As Lewis Carroll wrote, "In the gardens of memory, in the palace of dreams... that is where you and I shall meet."

In honor of Jeannette’s life, take a moment today to plant a flower, lend a hand, or simply be kind. That is where she lives on.