Jeanne Elizabeth Engelhardt

Jeanne (Jean) Elizabeth Sinsel Engelhardt passed away quietly in her sleep on March 10, 2018. She leaves behind a loving family: sons; Jim (Christine) and Bill (Roxane), daughters; Judy Davido (Ken) and Nancy Thrall (John), eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews plus generations of good friends. She was predeceased by her husband Bill Engelhardt and her brothers Don and Dick Sinsel.

Born in Yakima, WA on May 8,1919, she lived across the street from an apple orchard and rode the trolley by herself to school. As a young girl, she joined the Black Bloomers which led to a lifetime affiliation with Camp Fire that fully encompassed her entire family as well – daughters, sons, daughters-in-law, granddaughters, grandsons and now even great granddaughters – four generations. Jeanne even “arranged” for one of her fellow workers to marry her eldest son. She was first a volunteer group leader in the mid 1950s then a professional and volunteer staff member until her official retirement in 1994. She continued her involvement with Camp Fire by becoming a member of the Back Packin’ Mammas where she held down the base camps while her fellow campers ventured farther afield than her interests. She thoroughly explored western Washington and Oregon by bus touring and realized a lifetime dream with an eventful trip to Europe.

Jeanne passed on her love of crafts, knitting, gardening, reading and learning to her family all while helping to solve numerous crimes with her television friends Jessica and Columbo. She knitted caps enough to cover the heads of dozens of newborns at Children’s Hospital not to mention her entire family. Needlework and ceramics by her are proudly displayed in the homes of family and friends. While working full time, she demonstrated her commitment to learning when she earned a degree in Human Services, Magna Cum Laude from Western Washington University in 1976 – her proudest accomplishment.

Community service was a central point of her whole life. Besides her ongoing association with Camp Fire, she spent nearly two decades volunteering for the Seattle Children’s Guild Association.

Jeanne gently touched all who met her with the result of her having lived 98 years,10 months and 2 days while attaining friends from all walks of life starting with her childhood best friend with whom she remained in contact for her entire life right up to her last caregivers at her final residence. After spending time with Jeanne, her amiable demeanor helped friends and even total strangers feel that there can really be calmness in this frantic world.

Per Jeanne’s request, there will be no memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, her family would appreciate donations, in memory of Jeanne, be made to Camp Fire, the Seattle Children’s Guild Association or a charity of your choice.