Jean McGovern Fries Rudolph, 88

Jean McGovern Fries Randolph was born in St. Paul, Minn., on March 2, 1920, to Gladys and James Riving (Mac) McGovern.

She passed away on March 20, 2007.

Jean is survived by her husband of 27 years, Ray S. Fries of Bedford, Pa.; sisters Muriel Arndt Winkler of Rosemount, Minn., and Marcie Johnson Alberts of St. Paul, Minn.; children Christine Fries Harvey (Jay) of Sagle, sons Ray Fries of Santa Rosa, Calif., and John Fries (Joan) of Geyserville, Calif.; grandchildren Jake, Jenny Hernandez (Alex), Jeb and Jordan Harvey, all of Sandpoint, and Allison Fries of San Francisco, Calif.; and seven nieces and nephews, all of Minnesota.

Jean graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1941 along with Ray. After having all of their children in Minnesota, living a very full life and moving a few times, she settled in Sandpoint in 1988 to be near her daughter and grandchildren. She was active in the Republican women's group, garden clubs and many community groups in her younger years. She was an antique dealer for years, refinishing them, and appraising them as well in the East and the West.

Jean was a grand lady who loved living, and in fact, her favorite saying was "que sera, sera (whatever will be will be)." She was an avid gardener and gourmet cook and loved entertaining anyone who dropped by during their large parties. She was kind and helpful to all, especially to those who were less fortunate.

She felt safe and fortunate, as Alzheimer's set in, to have such wonderful friends and neighbors as Judie Conlan, Paul Graves and Gordy and Kathy Robinson. She will be missed very much by her family and old and new friends as well.

There will be a private celebration of Jean's life and love of life later this year. Her daughter asks that you smile at the elderly, help them in any small way you can, and realize they may be confused and fearful at times you least realize it, so everything you do does make a difference.