Jeanne Elizabeth Gilbert Savage

Jeanne Elizabeth Savage passed away peacefully with family at her side Oct. 21. 2008 in Vancouver, WA at age 80. One of seven siblings, Jeanne was born July 20,1928 in Schaller, Iowa to Fred and Margaret Laturno Gilbert. The family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1931 and settled in the Hollywood District where her father was proprietor of the Hollywood Barbershop. She attended St Rose Grade School and graduated from Grant High School in 1946. During her high school years Jeanne was on the swim team, which led to her first job as a lifeguard for City of Portland Parks and Recreation. She was also an usherette at the Hollywood Theatre.

Following graduation, Jeanne began a 31-year career with Pacific Northwest Bell, retiring in 1977.

Jeanne Gilbert married Lew Leverenz in 1952 and they had three sons, Scott, Terry and Rick They divorced in 1962. In 1965 she married Ben Savage and gained three stepdaughters, Barbara, Nancy, and Laura.

Upon retirement Jeanne and Ben moved to Long Beach, WA where they owned and operated the Ridge Court Motel and antique store "The Coast Trader" for several years, eventually moving to Vancouver in 1994.

Jeanne enjoyed a lifelong love of knitting. quilting, and crafts. She was very active in the Vancouver chapter of the American Merchant Marine Association. where she and other volunteers made quilts for hospitalized veterans and caps for chemotherapy patients. She loved making things for others and continued knitting until two weeks before her death. and her beautiful quils. scarves, "scrubbies", and other handmade articles were highly coveted gifs to members of her family.

Jeanne is survived by her three sons and their wives: Scott and Angie Leverenz of Portland, Oregon, Terry and Kim Leverenz of Boise, Idaho and Rick and Frances Leverenz of Vancouver, Washington; stepdaughters and their husbands: Barbara Howe of Panama City, Florida, Nancy and John Stolemeier of Ridgefield, Washington and Laura and Stan Willoughby of Portland; sister, Joanne Schulz of Charbonneau, Oregon; 13 grandchildren: Ryan Leverenz, Renee Larsen, Tara Leverenz, Tiesha Leverenz, Marcie Leverenz, Megan Leverenz, Shelby Leverenz, Ken Howe, Kevin Howe, Amber Stolemeier, Casey Lund, Annielaurie Kutch, and April Lund; and four great- grandchildren: Conner Lund, Tristan Lund, Brayden Baker, and Jack Larsen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben in 2001; brothers, Charles Gilbert and Leslie Gilbert; and sisters, Faye Gallery, Arlene Williams, and Mary Tauscher.

A memorial service was held on Friday Oct 31, 2008 at 10:00 am. at Evergreen Staples Chapel on St. Johns in Vancouver.