Doreatha Jean “Jeannie” Hofmann passed away in Mt Vernon on July 15, 2018 at the age of 78. Jeannie was born to Clinton Willard Jones and Hazel Vestal Jones in Chehalis, WA on July 17, 1939. After graduating from W.F. West High School, she attended Washington State College.
Jeannie met the love of her life, David Hofmann, at a Cowlitz Prairie Grange Dance. They married on November 1, 1959, and lived in Texas while David was in the service. In January 1963 their son Mark David was born, and in May 1965 their daughter Ann Marie was born. Jeannie and David raised their family on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands.
Growing up, Jeannie was active in 4-H, canning, cooking and quilting. She continued to can her whole life, especially fish, since David and Mark were both fishermen. She also continued to quilt. Jeannie was a master quilter, often creating her own quilt patterns, and displaying her quilts in quilt shows. She made beautiful quilts for family, leaving a lasting legacy of comfort. She was a real sports fan, enjoying watching and supporting Orcas Viking sports from the late 60’s through and after her grand children graduated on Orcas in the 2000s. She followed the Mariners, Seahawks, and Olympics especially liking figure skating. She was always up for an adventure, camping, car shows, county fair, quilt shows or road trips to visit friends. Meeting up with friends at senior lunch & tea brought her much joy. She adventured to Southeast Alaska for several summers fishing with David commercially for salmon and halibut, as well as, sport fishing the Kenai River. She was a long-time employee of Island Hardware & Supply, enjoying the hustle and bustle of the hardware store and the friends she worked with.
Jeannie was preceded in death by her brother Fred, and her parents Clinton and Hazel. She leaves behind her husband and children, two grandchildren (Kyle and April) and one beloved great-granddaughter (Filson Jayne). Jeannie was particularly close to her cousin Jan Nagler in California, and her niece and nephews.
Jeannie and David retired on Orcas Island, but wintered in Yuma, Arizona, where she quilted while David fished, enjoying the sunny weather with each other and friends.
Jeannie’s, quick witt, endless curious questions and generosity, will be deeply missed by her family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the Orcas Senior Center.
