Jeanne was a 1948 graduate of Grand Prairie High School. She was an amazing and successful woman: After a 16 year marriage, with no real work history, Jeanne found herself a single Mom of four in 1964, when women still had only limited legal rights in Texas. Always a quick learner and a remarkable problem solver, Jeanne became a successful Real Estate Broker and Realtor in East Dallas. She was active in the Dallas and Garland Boards of Realtors, served as President of the Dallas Women’s Council of Realtors., and helped countless other women realize their potential in the real estate business. Her longest professional affiliation was with Ebby Halliday Realtors. She was Manager of Ebby’s Garland office for many years until she retired in 1995.
Far above all else, Jeanne loved her children. In fact, she indeed was THE BEST MOM: From cradle to adulthood, Jeanne nurtured and taught all four of her children as a Den Mother, school volunteer, taxi service, seamstress, mentor, confidant, trusted advisor, life teacher, moral compass, and wise friend.
Jeanne will be deeply missed, but never forgotten; the lessons she taught and the example she set keep her in our hearts and memories forever.
Paul posted the following on Facebook today. It's length forced me to post it here in two parts...
ReplyDeleteVery sad personal news.
My Mom, Jeanne White Reeves, passed away on 6/6/2010.
She was absolutely an extraordinary person.
Born in 1930, Mom was an only child whose parents both had such serious personal problems and “issues” that she effectively was alone and "un-parented" through her entire childhood. And, because her family moved so often (multiple times a year was not uncommon), even just attending the same school for a full academic year was a rarity. Nevertheless, Mom excelled academically, as reflected on report cards from schools across the country, no doubt the result of her lifelong love of reading and learning.
While in high school, Mom's natural curiosity and enjoyment of education had her yearning to attend college next; but the absence of family support (or even encouragement) made college an unattainable dream.
With such limited options and a difficult home situation, it’s not surprising that she soon married and, by the end of 1957, was a very busy Mom of four children.
In 1963, while Texas women still had only limited legal rights, divorce ended her marriage and – with no additional education, training, or substantial work history after high school – she became a single Mom of four children. Luckily for us, though, she was always a tremendous planner and problem solver.
Even though then a very male-dominated business, Mom concluded that selling real estate was a profession where she could succeed. So, in 1964, she obtained her real estate sales license and began vigorously pursuing career success as a Realtor.
While working full time in the real estate business and raising her four children, she somehow found time to study for and achieve a Real Estate Broker’s license, as well as to be very active in local and state real estate boards and other professional organizations – including serving a term as President of the Dallas Women’s Council of Realtors (at a time when women still were not allowed to hold office in the Dallas Board of Realtors). After working with other Dallas real estate brokers and co-founding Whitehouse Realtors, Mom joined Ebby Halliday Realtors, where she enjoyed her longest professional affiliation, including many years as Manager of Ebby’s Garland office.
Probably due to her genuinely "magnetic" personality, boundless enthusiasm, and exceptional talents for planning and problem solving, countless of Mom’s customers and colleagues became lifelong friends who sought and valued her advice, on real estate and a wide variety of other topics.
(continued)
ReplyDeleteNotwithstanding her business and professional successes and responsibilities, being a Mom was always her first priority and she excelled at that, too. Her early disappointment at not being able to attend college probably was the reason she made certain that all four of us had at least an opportunity to try college. She wasn’t going to – and never did – try to “make” anyone stay in college, so it was no surprise at all that she was every bit as proud of the successes – and supportive during the setbacks – of those of us who tried college and then pursued other opportunities as she was of those who actually graduated from college. She wanted to be sure that all of her children had at least the encouragement and opportunity she never had. At the same time, however, she made sure that none of us attended college as a “gift,” insisting that we each would be responsible for at least a significant portion of our college expenses each year.
She really was just the BEST MOM – She diligently nurtured and taught all four of us from cradle to adulthood, being Den Mother, school volunteer, chauffeur, seamstress, mentor, confidant, trusted advisor, life teacher, moral compass, and wise friend. In doing so, she modulated her interactions with each of us based on our differing ages, so that – by the time we each graduated from high school – we could see how she had slowly “nudged” each of us into making more and more of our own decisions, such that she had begun offering advice only when sought. Her view clearly was that, once out of high school, children are adults and should be treated that way . . . and, by the way, it’s time to get out of the nest and begin fending for yourself .
Her encouragement for us to read, be curious, and “figure it out,” were invaluable gifts that accompanied her overpowering love for each of us. She always gave each of us plenty of room to grow, fall, fail, or succeed on our own. We always knew she was “watching” and she was always empathetic and concerned for our well-being and happiness, but we also knew that, after reaching adulthood, our lives were ours to live and experience and we were “on the wire” without the security of any visible safety net and couldn’t expect to be “saved” from the consequences of our own misjudgments.
But when Jill contracted Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, the other three of us saw what we had always suspected – Mom always did have a “net” in reserve and ready so she could mount an all-out, full assault on any really bad situation affecting any of us.
Mom’s indomitable research skills, energy, and creativity were totally focused on finding a cure for Jill. After local doctors told her there was no more they could do, she scoured resources around the world – and, with travel assistance from my great friend John Lancaster – even took Jill to Greece in pursuit of a cure. Ultimately, Mom's Herculean efforts were unsuccessful and cancer claimed Jill in 1988, but it was certainly not due to any lack effort by Mom in trying to do everything humanly possible to save Jill.
There is just so much more, but I should stop -- for now, at least.
Mom will be in our hearts and memories–and missed–forever. We honor her final requests for no formal services or flowers, for memorials to be sent to the Amer. Cancer Society &/or the Amer. Heart Assn., and that she join her daughter, Jill, at Grove Hill Memorial Cemetery.
My brother has set up a site for remembrances about Mom at http:///jeannereeves.blogspot.com.
For those of you who knew her, we would appreciate your posting there any memories or comments you may have about Mom.
- Paul
I first met Jeanne upon her return from Costa Rica a few years back soon after her diagnosis. She has always shown a remarkable amount of courage in light of her treatment challenges. I have been lucky to have her as my model and know that it helps the family so much. I am proud to be a new member of the "Dalton Gang" as Paul's wife and love to be with them, and their extended and acopted families, to share in the family celebrations and support for the good times and the tough times. God bless you all. Love, Cathy
ReplyDeleteDick Dalton wrote the following:
ReplyDeleteJeanne was a very special and kind sister-in-law.
During my college days at A&M back in the fifties, she was always very generous by allowing visits to her home while we were on a Corp trip to Dallas.
Jeanne always had a special wit and charm. She was certainly kind to me and my family.
My Mom (Jessie Dalton) had a special place in her heart for Jeanne and loved her very much.
Margie and I will keep each of you in our prayers.
Dick and Margie
Jeanne was the best Mother-In-Law that a girl could ever ask for. She was a wonderful inspiration to me over the 35 years that I have been in the family. Jeanne is the most loving and talented woman that I have ever known. I love Jeanne with all my heart and I will miss her terribly.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate enough to be able to spend time with Jeanne her last few days at the hospital. She told me Thursday evening "I'm so tired of all this." as we all knew that she was tired of doctor and hospital visits, chemo & radiation, infusion, etc.
I choose to remember that Jeanne is in a much better place now, free of all suffering and pain, with our precious Lord up above walking on the streets of gold reunited with all of her loved ones, family and friends, who have passed on before her.
To the most wonderful husband a girl could ever ask for, I will keep you and our entire family in my prayers and I will take the best care of you that I possibly can for your Mother and for our family. Please don’t worry about being sad I’m here for you. I love you!
To the rest of our family, I love you all and will keep you, too, in my prayers as you go through the next few months dealing with the sorrow of Jeanne’s passing. Please call upon me if you need me for anything at all. Love to ALL, Karen
I met Jeanne when we moved to Costa Rica and we quickly became friends. She was always ready to 'help out' a newcomer and give good advice on how to manage your new life in CR. I must admit I was a bit jealous of her, as she was so clever with her decorating skills and her home was just lovely! We had a good time with our ceramics and I cherish the gift she gave me. I really relish the times we 'Texans' got together to eat, drink and laugh! She was truly a special Lady and will be missed by all who knew her.
ReplyDeleteRob, know that Ralph and I are thinking of you and have you in our hearts. We hope you find comfort from the caring of those around you.
Jeanne was such a special person in my life. I will miss her wit and wisdom so much. She introduced me to traveling, first to Mexico and then Costa Rica. I have so many fond memories that I will cherish for my lifetime. One of the funniest is after Jill, Barbara Brown's husband and my Mom died we all took a trip to Taxco and Acapulco. At a sidewalk bar Jeanne arranged to have two Mexicans drive us to the top of a mountain to see some Mexican dancers. After they arrived to take us Jeanne decided to stay at the hotel. Barbara and I had a very scary night ride to the top to discover every thing closed and overgrown with weeds. By the time we got to Acapulco, we had eaten so much bread and butter she could not fit into any of her pants. I laughed til I couldn't anymore because she never struggled with weight like most of us. Every picture from the trip she is wearing the same white pants. I especially hold fond the memories of the trip to Cancun with my daughter, Jill and Jan.
ReplyDeleteAfter becoming friends with Jeanne I learned of her childhood and respected her so for her accomplishments. I depended on her for advise, only when I sought it. I loved to hear her laugh at my stories. She was amazing at entertaining.
I still proudly display a framed plaque given as a Christmas gift to Curtis and I. The saying is "Some people come into our lives and quietly go. Others stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same."
That says best how I felt about Jeanne.