She was born in Rochester, MN along with her fraternal twin sister Joan, at the original St. Mary’s Hospital and Mayo Clinic. She grew up in Waterville, MN, attended college in St. Paul at the College of St. Catherine to train as an occupational therapist. After graduating she moved west to Colorado where she worked for a year before moving to Eugene, Oregon to work. That is where she met a young good looking veterinarian, Bill Ellsworth, at the local vet clinic.
Bill and Jean were married on October 30, 1954. They moved to Victoria, BC for a year where Bill worked, then moved to Seattle where they lived the rest of their lives. Bill had two veterinary hospitals and Jean stayed home to raise three children. Bill and Jean were married for 60 years until Bill’s passing in 2014. Mom loved her cat, birds, music, laughing and her very good friends.
Jean went back to work for awhile part time, but spent most of her recent years on the board of NAVOS, formerly known as Highline West Seattle Mental Health. She enjoyed her time as a board member and felt she was contributing to a much needed endeavor.
Jean/Mom will be sorely missed by many friends and family. She joins her parents Paul and Mabel Dion, her sisters Joan and Maurine, her husband Bill, and her grandson Eric I’m sure in heaven. She has a surviving sister Suzanne Mitchell, Ashland OR and cousin Dick Dion, Seattle, WA.
Her children living in Seattle are Kathleen Ellsworth, Lizann Virnig (Dave), and Clay Ellsworth. Grandaughters Laura Virnig (Shane) Star ID, and Melisa Lapping (Michael) Edgewood, WA. Three great grandchildren, Jaxon Patterson, Weston Patterson, Star ID, and Makenna Lapping, Edgewood, WA.
There will be a private family ceremony at Riverton Crest Cemetery in the near future. If you would like to make a donation to a cause in her name, please consider NAVOS, or any animal shelter of your choice.
We will love and miss you always.
All are welcome to sign the online guestbook below and add any messages or stories for the family.
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