Loretta "Jeanne" Lindley passed away on April 7, 2024, in Wrangell.
Jeanne was born Oct. 29, 1933, to Sally and James Jones in Canadian, Texas. She was almost always called "Jeanne" (she'd say, 'like I Dream of Jeannie'). She grew up in Washington state with her older brothers Joseph and James; younger sisters Shirley, Donna and Dora; and grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She graduated in 1950 from Clallam Bay High School.
In 1951, she married Ronald Edward Lindley. They raised five children: Sandra, Louise, Ronda, Carson and Jody, in Port Angeles, Washington, and Southeast Alaska. In 1965, they moved to Skagway where foster-sisters Tessie and Jewel Cranston joined the family. The family moved to Ketchikan in 1969. A year later, her husband Ron died in a work accident.
Jeanne worked mostly in the hospitality industry from waitress to cook to eventually owner. She opened two Wrangell eateries - partnering with businesses that still serve locals today - Hungry Beaver and Totem Timber Room. She later opened the Narrows Supper Club with her children Louise and Carson in Ketchikan. In 1972, she married John LeMay and gained a stepdaughter, Lisa Doyon. They saw many happy years with adventures in Alaska and to Hawaii on the family sailboat.
Jeanne also dabbled in real estate. She built her dream cabin on her son Jody's land in rural Gakona, a home in Wrangell with her son Jody's family, a home in Port Angeles with her daughter Ronda's family and an apartment building in Anchorage with her daughter Louise's family.
She worked for the Alaska Marine Highway System and enjoyed her time on the ferries. When she retired from AMHS, she moved to her cabin. Never one to slow down, she opened Jeanne's Java on the Glenn Highway and Lindley's Photos to sell her best photos of majestic Alaska. In 2012, she returned to Wrangell to live with her son Jody's family. She was active in the community as an in-home companion, at the Senior Center, at mass and at many school events.
"Jeanne led by example, chased her dreams and lived life unapologetically however she pleased. She had a contagious laugh, a lot of sass and spoke her mind. She loved her family fiercely and planned many events to bring them together for games, meals, playdates - and she was always taking pictures. Jeanne lives on through her family and friends," her family wrote.
She was Grandma Jeanne Dearest to Mitchell, Brandy, Robert, Ron, Garrett, Cambria, Annya, Jessica, Shannon, Britany and Tavis; then Grandy (not great-grandma) to Haley, Zahara, Kasey, Ethan, Shelton, Bradley and Kennedy.
A celebration of life was held in Ketchikan. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date in Wrangell.
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