Lasting Memories

Jeanne D. Pomeroy
Dec. 6, 1932-May 12, 2012
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Lacey J Berns

Jeanne (Dorman) Pomeroy passed away peacefully at her home in Palo Alto on May 12, 2012, with her devoted husband, Bill, at her side -- the way she wished. Jeanne was 79 years old, and a lifelong Palo Alto resident. She was born at Stanford Hospital on Dec. 6, 1932.

Her parents, Richard (Dick) and Vivian Dorman raised their two daughters, Jeanne and Marilyn, first on Cedar Street, then on Seale Avenue at the home they built. Jeanne lived in her beloved home on Newell Road in Palo Alto for most of her life, cherishing her gardens and being near her family. She attended Walter Hays Elementary, Jordan, and graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1950. Following high school, she attended San Jose State University.

Jeanne married the love of her life, William Dutton Pomeroy, on May 6, 1966, in Palo Alto. They spent 46 adventurous and loving years together. Inseparable, they pursued their hobbies of traveling, bridge, gardening, opera and ballet. Together they raised and enjoyed their children Lacey, Lon, Elizabeth, Max and Susan.

Mom had an insatiable love of reading, gourmet cooking, horticulture, interior design, and an eclectic taste in music. As far as cooking, the memories of Julia Child's voice while she man-handled a chicken, were always a part of our evening. Sewing and knitting were also her hobbies making many of her grandchildren unique sweaters, argyle socks, and outfits, with her personalized name tag "Knitley McDuff"! Throughout all of her passions she was a perfectionist.

Mom gave us stability and structure in life through our weekly traditions: Our memories are all so precious -- the Boardwalk at Santa Cruz, eating at Stickneys along with Edys as a treat, or Eddie's at midtown, and watching scary black and white movies on Friday night.

She instilled in her children the same love of the arts, music, creativity, and provided to them, most importantly, a family-life imbued with wit, humor, tradition -- we were encouraged to create "funny shows," perform and write plays. Mom gave us a "roadmap" for life. One of compassion, sensitivity, and the ability to see beyond one's own perspective. She often called our sensitive nature as "having a tender-hearted bean." Every night without fail, we set the table with our Polly and Jake goblets, and enjoyed an hour of family discussion. She taught us to be independent and adventurous, with Lacey raising her children on Kodiak Island (Alaska) as a commercial fishing family, and Lon in Anchorage, Alaska.

Jeanne led a life always ahead of her time, through fashion, style and beauty with impeccable taste. She was often described as unique and chic, stylish and never trendy, always youthful, fun, spirited, zany and irreverent, without caring what other people thought -- never a conversation without a laugh. She valued her privacy and yet had an amazing impact on her family reaching beyond to touch forever the lives of her children's friends and her sister's children and grandchildren.

She was an adviser, and always the unique "mom" that everyone could talk to and visit. Extraordinarily brave and stubborn, she survived polio intact at age 23, which certainly attributed to her amazing courage and will to live despite several serious illnesses throughout the past two years. Her favorite trips included one around the world, to Australia and a cruise through the inside passage to Alaska. Her favorite opera was "La Boheme."

Jeanne leaves a rich and loving legacy through her family: her husband, Bill; sister, Marilyn; grandchildren, Hunter, Leslie Jeanne, Edin, Galen, Lon Jr., Rachel and Cameron; great grandchildren, Ainsley and Killian; as well as her beloved nieces and nephews. Mom had superb style and class, uniquely her own and one that will make us smile for eternity. Her life unfolded exactly as she planned it, as in her passing. She will forever be loved and missed.

We love you, Mom, we will love and remember you forever "I love you more than ... the grains of sand on earth, from here to China, Pluto, than all of the stars in the universe, forever and ever...."

"May the blessings of love be upon you, may its peace abide with you, may its essence illumunite your heart, now and forever more" (Sufi blessing).