Jean Marie Kirsch

Jean Kirsch Eulogy

Jean was born Nov 3, 1938 in Salem, the middle child to older brother, Paul and younger brother, John. She attended Catholic schools there, ultimately graduating from Sacred Heart Academy. She was a good student, “straight A's” remembers her brother, Paul. Deanna Daschel remembers her HS classmate as "A smart girl, who had her brain going for her".

She followed graduation with Beauty school, and worked for several years in Salem as a hair dresser.

She entered the Convent of the Holy Names in the late 1950's, her brother Paul and his wife, Tilly, "handing her in" with suitcase in tow to the Provincial House. He reported never knowing the specifics of what led her to the religious life. Sr Martina Marie, later to be Sr Jean Marie was with the Holy Names for at least 25 years, grateful for the education and teacher’s training she received through them. She taught primarily Math, and I personally first met her as a HS senior at St Mary's Academy when she was assigned there as a 33 yr old.

Sometime around 1987, she was granted a dispensation from her vows. She wanted to do things that being in a religious community couldn't allow, including owning a home, and being a foster parent. She later confided in me that she also hoped to find a life partner.

She went to work in the Portland Public Schools, including Jefferson HS, Tubman MS, and an Alternative School. Her career included teaching, tutoring, and being a vice principal. -That latter role answers more than a few questions as to her occasional stern demeanor and high expectations of others, doesn't it?- During this phase of her life, Jean began relationships of love with Donita and later Morvin as a foster mom, determined to assist them in reaching their highest potentials. She always glowed when showing off their pictures and sharing details of their lives, including Morvin's and her reciprical love of football. She loved being a grandmother.

She lived in several homes in Portland, then Damascus, before purchasing the land in Redland to build her dream home, which included a daylight basement apartment to allow a renter to help with the mortgage (she was always thinking finances!). Jean was still working as a math tutor when I re met her after a Sat night Mass, 12 years ago, looking for the owner of the beautiful new voice coming from the back of the church. When I caught up with her, I asked hesitantly, "Sister Jean?" to which she tersely responded, "It's just Jean, now, Heather", but that opened the door for a different relationship and many a Sat night after-Mass dinner together.

Maria and Bill Smith, owners of Cobbler Bill's on 82nd in Portland, shared this of their employee and friend:

“Jean first came to us as a customer in November of 2002 and then began working for us the following June. She had recently retired from a career as a math teacher and school vice-principal. She was a dedicated part of the Cobbler Bill’s team for years and finally retired completely this last year.

She was an amazing employee who helped customers find the right shoes. In fact, Jean was passionate and skilled at the technical fitting of shoes (there's that analytical mind at work again) delighting in success at helping someone eliminate the pain in their feet. (She shared that Fr Flach had been stuffing his feet in size 10 shoes, when she determined size 11 the better fit.) She was loyal, rarely saying "no" to a subbing request, even on short notice. Once you gave Jean a task, you had better get out of her way. She was single minded until she was finished. It was just her style, and of course as our employee it worked very well for us! She was a smart person, who didn't suffer fools easily. Jean pretty much always said what was on her mind. She did respect other peoples' privacy though, and went out of her way to be careful to not consciously hurt anyone.

After she first came to work for us, she built her beautiful home, so we got to hear all of the triumphs and tribulations of going through that process. When her home was finished, she had us all over for dinner. She was an excellent cook, and it was a feast!

Jean was extremely frugal, practical, and hard working. Whenever she needed a piece of machinery such as a tractor or something else to help her in her huge garden, or some sort of new construction on her house, she would ask for more hours at work. I think she viewed the money she earned here as “play money”. She used to act like a giddy school girl when she got her newest...albeit always practical, toy! Jean was a vivacious and generous person. She was an outstanding cook and liked to have people over for dinner. She always had a very productive vegetable garden and used to bring us all kinds of goodies! We've greatly appreciated Jean’s friendship and loyalty over the years. We are sad to say goodbye, but so glad to have known her.”

I found Jean described over and over again as "generous". She sponsored children in Uganda and Guatemala, going so far as to visit one of her kidlet’s Guatemalan community to better find out how she could help. She developed deep relationships to several sponsor children using letter writing, even grieving the loss of one sponsored young man who died at age 18. Just last month she was engaged with the idea of accompanying Deacon Jim this Fall to the Congo, to assist in an orphanage there.

After "adopting" her new pastor from Nigeria, essentially becoming his Oregon "Mom", and learning of the needs of his home community, she would use every penny of salary from Cobbler Bill’s yearly July sales events to buy shoes and send them to Nigeria.

She cooperatively farmed the large lower acreage of her property with the help of several neighbors, Carol Corbett and Judy Stufflebeam, planting over 100 tomato plants alone, sending 90% yield to the local area Food Banks. Many of us have been beneficiaries of her bounty, finding anonymous boxes of varied fresh veggies here at the church or hall, plastic carrying bags provided as well! Even when Carol could not help last year, Jean still planted a comparable amount as previous years, determined to donate the same quantity as before.

Jean lived frugally, in order to give to others. I was told she feared that she would "outlive" her money. She held a Liberal Political view which could result in heated arguments with Conservative family and friends, and could not tolerate social injustice, matching her views with corresponding action. She lived consciously and purposefully, determining her plan, then implementing it. She passionately helped all types of people in her community, including those with disabilities or in need. She rescued dogs and cats, her most recent, beloved Abby and Buddy, now being cared for by her foster son and a neighbor. Her will stipulated that her car and tractor should be donated to a farm whose ministry is to help recovering addicts. Even in death, she gives.

Most of us have encountered Jean's occasional hard edges, and particular expectations, and I hope also her "wicked sense of humor". She was not "frilly", but very down to earth and warm hearted. She loved nature's beauty, often encouraging her neighbor to "come quickly" and enjoy the nesting bird, just discovered in the seasonal wreath in her entryway, the persistent pecking of a sapsucker, or some other sudden showing of God's creative handiwork. She loved color, spreading it generously throughout her house and yard with flowers and mementos from travel. Returning from multiple funerals, she declared "No white lilies for me!", and so we have tried to honor this.

Jean's dear neighbor, Carol, told me that Jean "was like a sister to me" offering support that defied words after the recent death of Carol's husband. In addition to gardening together, they had a 4:30 daily afternoon ritual they referred to as "Champagne Time", alternating homes and favoring Andre’s peach or Spumante to unwind and breathe in the Redland beauty.

Jean was very private, as we have heard, sharing only sparsely that she was having abdominal issues these last several years. Aware of her health, but perhaps not its severity, she was hoping to sell her place and move into a retirement village. She read self healing books, and tried many natural diets and remedies, thinking that some were helping. The week that she passed, she had seen her doctor Monday because of increased abdominal pain and bloating, was given antibiotics and tests scheduled in the next days. Thurs, she went to ER in intense pain, unable to keep food down, her stomach very distended. Although the complete details are yet to be revealed, it is believed that a bowel obstruction perforated, leading to full body sepsis and renal failure. She went into coma, and did not regain consciousness. The doctors shared that they did not believe she would survive a surgery. She passed early on the feast of the Assumption, a fitting holy day for a generous and charitable lady. She willed her body to OHSU, she being a "teacher" to the end.

Jean is survived by her foster children, Donita and Morvin, four grandchildren from Donita, Brother Paul and his wife Tilly, sister-in-law Betty, nephew and nieces Kevin, Kelly, Clayton, Christina, and Tony, and several grand nieces and nephews. She is predeceased in death by her brother, John.

We will miss your deep love, Jean, your fierce commitment for justice for all God’s children, your humor and grace, and how you held us to high standards.

So, Jean, as your eulogy's now been read

with your life's actions thus rehashed...

we trust you are proud of the things just said

of how generously and charitably you've spent your dash!***

Respectfully,

Heather Hannam 8/25/2014

*** rewritten from “The Dash” by Linda Ellis