August 13, 2025
The National Rural Housing Coalition has asked me to convey our condolences to Jeanette's family on her passing.  Jeanette was a board member of the Coalition for over 40 years and was an inspiration to all.  When I first came on the rural housing scene in the late seventies, she was one of the few women around; that certainly didn’t stop her!
I have many memories of Jeanette and her efforts to improve lives for low-income families through mutual self-help housing and other affordable housing programs.  The one that stood out to me the most was during the 1990s, when rural housing programs were under pressure in Congress. Jeanette and some of her California colleagues came to Washington to lobby their Representatives and Senators.  I believe Jeantte was coming off knee surgery.   Walking on those hard marble floors, with her cane, she made the rounds of House and Senate offices, making her case based on the success of People’s Self Help Housing and the great need not only in California, but in rural communities across the nation.  When we wrapped up, the rest of us marveled at Jeanette and how tough she was.
Jeanette was active in NRHC  right to end.  I received emails from her this Spring,  encouraging me and NRHC to keep at it, and saying she was trying to make sense of Trump( she has a lot of company there).
Everyone at NRHC sends our best wishes to Jeanette’s family.  She was a valued and admired colleague.  We will miss her.

Bob Rapoza

I worked with Jeanette at People’s Self - Help Housing for decades and there are so many fond memories from that time. Jeanette was a formidable leader I admired and respected. She deeply cared about her staff. 
Jeanette, you are a shining star within the brightest of stars.
Love and Peace,
Monica Demalleville

So sorry to learn of Jeanette’s  passing.  She was an inspiration - when I moved to California from Boston in 1996, she showed me the self/help housing model, unheard of on the east coast.  Of course she found a way to get me involved, and we helped out in Piru.  Later she took me to the car camper park in Carpinteria, to recruit help in developing that as a healthy new community for the residents.  I am grateful that she opened my eyes to the need, and the extraordinary work she and her compatriots were doing - always with patience, humility, and humor (and that occasional Maker’s on the rocks).

I always enjoyed conversations with Jeanette about politics, gardening and dogs.  She once said she thought we were among the last of “the old lefties.”  Her lifelong commitment to social and economic justice will continue to be an inspiration to me and many others.  George and I send our condolences to Andrea and her family. Jeanette Duncan: presente!

The creation of Seacorp was my idea and i thought Jeanette was opposed. 

Jeanette was a hugely admired member of the 10 of us selected as the best in development in America by The Fannie Mae Foundation.  The Foundation for four years gave us money and brought the 10 of us all over to see the best and sometimes the worst in America.  Nine organizations knew the difference between Development and Charity except Louisiana.

So, being an organizer, I spoke to George Roth in D.C who knew Jeanette well.  He said to just explain you need her vote to create a national SEACORP, Inc. to keep going and all that we could do together.   So, I did. Jeanette right away not only made it happen but from that day we became very good friends. 

She had a world view of policy, development in other countries and loved Rural America.

I am so blessed to have known this marvelous woman and her husband  Corky.  

Lorna Bourg President , Southern Mutual Help Association,Inc. New Iberia, Louisiana

Dear Andrea,
As I passed your house the other morning I had a feeling that Jeanette had passed away - police cars and paramedics  were not a good sign. She was terrific! I loved walking down the lane discussing everything from her horrific back injury to interracial marriage to peach trees. Such energy and so many interests.  She will be missed. 
We both send you and your family our deep sympathy.
Lois and Barry Perlman

Jeanette became a surrogate mother for me in CA, after relocating there from Germany. She offered me an opportunity to join PSHH through a newly created role, as my direct supervisor. Our roots and personalities made us an effective team for nearly 2 decades. We had many memorable moments and stories during this time, too many to recall here.

She will always be in my heart and remembered for her determination and incredible work ethic, but most of all her trust in me and her support.

In loving memory, rest in peace with Corky, the love of your life.

OBITUARY

Jeanette Mary Duncan

June 27, 1937 – August 4, 2025

Edward F. Carter

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