Jane McCurdy Bridges

Jane McCurdy Bridges was a five-foot-two bundle of energy with a twinkle in her dark blue eyes, and was known as "sweet little Janie."

She departed this life on July 18, 2006. To family, friends, and knowledgeable observers she was known as a very patriotic American, lover of freedom, and defender of traditional American values.

Jane was a school teacher and principal by training, practice and thinking. After graduating from Western Washington University in 1936, she taught school in Sitka, Alaska and at various public schools in the Seattle area.

She was always knee-deep in public activity and debate regarding young people and their education and learning experiences.

Early on, Jane was Brownie troop leader of the year in Sandpoint, Idaho. Jane was past president of the Bellevue Parent Teachers Association, where she was a leader in the support of traditional American values. More recently she led a contingent of financial leaders in defense of the Boy Scouts.

Early in World War II she married Wells McCurdy, a naval officer serving in lighter-than-air Coastal Defense. Jane and Wells settled in the Seattle area, and became well known in numerous civic and political activities, most notably the Republican Party, University Women's Club, Rainier Club, Seattle Yacht Club, and P.E.O., to mention a few.

In addition, Jane gave Wells wonderful support as he developed Southcenter and other regional shopping centers.

They were blessed with three children: Claire, Russell, and Bruce. In 1981 Jane and Lee Bridges of Riverside, California were married. Lee left Jane a widow in 1991. They had lived at Providence Point, in the Issaquah, Washington area, for five years.

Jane was born Norma Jane Gorsline in Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1915. She had a happy childhood, and always thought of Sandpoint as her home. Her father and mother, Clem and Claire, were strong and loving parents. Jane was raised with strong Christian principles.

Jane's grandfather and grandmother were two of the original founders and community leaders of Sandpoint, Idaho. Jane was especially proud of her grandfather, Will Whitaker, who was a prominent judge and state senator. Judge Whitaker was a very public-spirited citizen, and Jane remembered Indians camping in her grandparents' big front yard.

Jane lived in numerous places on the West Coast, including Idaho, Alaska, California, and Washington. For a time, Jane lived in California at Mountainview, and later at Irvine. However, she loved the Pacific Northwest, for years having a home on Mercer Island and Orcas Island. She was a homemaker, a hiker, a beach lover, and a lover of the arts. She always loved to have her grandchildren come to visit her at Orcas Island.

A strong pro-American her entire life, Jane was an active conservative Republican. She was also a member of Pro-America and P.E.O. Throughout her lifetime she was active in support of pro-American leaders, including Senator Robert A. Taft, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan. Jane was a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist of Issaquah.

Jane is survived by her brother, three children, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Her brother is Arden Gorsline of Federal Way, Washington. Her children are Claire Painter Eberle of La Conner, Washington; Russell McCurdy of Arlington, Washington; and Bruce McCurdy of Poulsbo, Washington. Her grandchildren are Scott Painter of Los Angeles, California (great-grandchild Luke Painter) and Tyler Painter of Orinda, California (great-grandchildren Jackson and Anna Painter).

In Jane's honor, a celebration of life will be held at the Seattle Yacht Club on Aug. 13, 2006. at 2 p.m. To RSVP, contact mccurdy2@comcast.net. For more information, call Bleitz Funeral Home, 206.282.5220.

Donations may be made to the First Church of Christ Scientist-Issaquah, P.O. Box 281, Issaquah WA 98027; Foundation for Economic Education, 30 South Broadway, Irvington-on-Hudson, New York 10533; or P.E.O. Sisterhood, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50312.