Jean Carol Stevens left this world to join the Lord in His Heavenly Kingdom on November 21, 2018. In 1943, she was born in Yakima, WA to Olive & Clyde, & lived on a farm with her grandparents & sister, Joann (deceased in 2018), where she cultivated her love of horses. She worked from the age of 13 to put herself through school, & graduated from Yakima H.S. in 1961.
After some time in Seattle, she moved to Sacramento around 1965, & gave birth to a daughter, Sharon, but had to give her up for adoption...They were reunited & shared a loving relationship since 1985! She married Bill Shaughnessy (dec. 2009) in 1965, & their first child, Barbara, died at birth in 1966. Then their 2 children, Patricia & William, were born in 1968 & 1970. They were married for 13 years, & Jean was a homemaker who provided a solid foundation for her family & was one of the caring moms to a block full of kids. They enrolled their children in St. Robert School & Parish, as they lived in Hollywood Park.
Jean was very active in the church & brought her beautiful, powerful alto voice to sing in the music ministry there. Her devotion to God carried over into Bible study & prayer meetings that were instrumental in getting through the difficult times in hers & loved ones' lives.
She juggled many jobs to make ends meet, remarried with Skip Stevens (dec.) for several years in the 80's, & found her career at the State of California DMV, where she worked diligently for almost 30 years. Jean found love again with Bill Cogswell in the 90's, & stayed with him until his death.
Her health deteriorated a few years after retirement, with complications from diabetes afflicting her mind, & eventually, her kidneys. She was cared for by her daughter, Trish, her brother-in-law, Jim, & an angel named Althea, for many years, to all of whom Jean was most grateful.
Jean loved Jesus, music & singing, horses, gardening, doodling, watching movies, going on long, scenic drives, & doing things with her friends & the Red Hat Society. She ALWAYS generously gave her love & support to her family, & her unconditional love was what made her the best Mother & friend a person could have. She's a truly beautiful spirit who exuded joy, had a witty sense of humor & was always positive in her struggle to overcome the challenges in her life.
Jean is survived by her 3 children- Sharon (Solsberry, IN), Trish, & Bill (Tulsa, OK), a niece & nephew from her sister, several grandchildren & step-grandchildren, & her first husband's family- Jim, & sister-in-law, Cathy, & her family. She had many friendships she cherished, especially with Gwen, who was also like a sister to her through the years. She touched many lives, & is loved by those who knew her.
Jean was cremated by Harry A. Nauman & Son, in Sacramento, CA, & will be buried near her mom in Yakima, WA, per her wishes, on her birthday next year. Meanwhile, a memorial service will be held on Mother's Day, 2019, in Sacramento, at a location TBD. Please email contact info to [email protected], for those wishing to attend...
May her soul rest in peace with her Maker, as Jeanie Weenie Chili Beenie will be missed, but never forgotten!!!
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