Jeanette Marie Gagnon

Jeannette Marie Gagnon, 58, of Cheney, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012.

Jeannette "Jeannie" Pear- son was born to the late Dr. Alfred Stanley and Mrs. Pauline Pearson, May 23, 1953 in Dayton, Washington. Jeannie was a longtime resident of Waitsburg, Washington. Jeannie was the valedictorian of her 1971 graduating class at Waitsburg High School. She attended Washington State University before marrying Dwight Earl Thomas in 1972. Their daughter Stacy Lynn was born in February 1978, and daughter Kelly Jo was born in May 1981.

Jeannie worked as a dental assistant for her father, Dr. Pearson and as a Nurse's Assistant at Park Manor Convalescent Center while raising her family. After Jeannie and Dwight divorced, she remained in Waitsburg, an active member of the local community. She sang in the choir at the Waitsburg Presbyterian Church and participated in community productions at Liberty Theatre. Jeannie married George Edward Gagnon in 1998. Jeannie earned her Associate of Arts from Walla Walla Community College in June 2011. She moved from Waitsburg to Cheney in fall 2011 to be closer to her daughters and their families.

Jeannie loved the ocean, camping, fishing, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family. She is survived by George Gagnon of Waitsburg, daughters Stacy Ashcroft ( Josh) and Kelly Ward (Chris) of Cheney, brother Randy Pearson of Waitsburg, sister Sandra Nogle of Spokane, sister Paula Cooper of Canby, Ore., and six grandchildren, all of Cheney. She also leaves behind her dog Niki and two cats, Ace and Bob. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Dr. Stanley Pearson of Walla Walla.

Jeannie loved intensely and suffered immensely. She battled severe mental illness most of her adult life. She fought it with everything she had, and her family finds solace in knowing that she is without pain now.

A service honoring Jeannie's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27th at the Waitsburg Presbyterian Church, with a potluck reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Walla Walla Community College Music and Opera program or the Blue Mountain Humane Society.