Jeanne Tomlin, 91
Jeanne McAlexander Tomlin passed away on April 3, 2023.
She was most proud of her four children and her role in their education. They are Kris Smith (Jeff) in St. Louis, Mo., Mark Runberg (Dee) in Bend, Ore., Todd Runberg (Angie), in Fresno, Calif., and Brian Runberg (Katie) in Seattle, Wash. She enjoyed her grandchildren, especially each summer with them at Priest Lake, Derek, Damon, Jesse, Drew, Lucy (Smith), Dalton, Ava, and Vivienne Runberg, along with Anna and Felipe Montoya. Her delightful great-grandchildren are Bear, Bridge, Eleanor, Royal, and Evelynn Runberg. She is preceded in death by her parents, G.T. and Vivienne Beardmore McAlexander; and sister, Phyllis Sheppard.
Born in 1932 in St. Maries, Idaho, Jeanne grew up in Moscow, Idaho. She cherished her lifelong friends, especially Jane Perry Simons and Marilyn Bauer Williams. Jeanne often enjoyed time with her grandmother, Lucy Beardmore, in Priest River.
She graduated from the University of Idaho and was a proud member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Later, she received her master's degree in technical writing from Eastern Washington University. She served as a Fort Wright College administrator, director of the Cybele Society, a national medical organization, and the Action Corner editor for the Spokesman-Review.
Every summer for her entire life, Jeanne savored Priest Lake. She relished the family cabin in Coolin and enjoyed adventures and celebrations with the "lake family," including Linda Gjording and Charles and Mary Bauer. She served on the Priest Lake Museum Board for seven years. Jeanne co-published "Priest River and Priest Lake: Kaniksu Country" with Marylyn Cork and Diane Mercer.
The family appreciates the compassionate care provided to Jeanne by Scooter Mahoney, Mary Karin Miller and Jeanne Norton. A tribute page to Jeanne Tomlin is on the Hennessey Funeral Home website. Following her instructions, there will be a celebration of life party at Coolin on July 29.
A memorial in celebration of Jeanne’s life can be made to the Priest Lake Museum Coolin Kiosk Project or the Rex Theater Foundation, PO Box 400, Priest River, ID 83856.