Jeane Martha (Jepson) Gaither

Jeane Gaither passed away early on the morning of March 17th in Tanner Spring Assisted Living Facility in West Linn, Oregon.  She had suffered an aortic dissection shortly before her 108th birthday and was on hospice.  She was attended by valued staff at Tanner Spring when she went to be with the Lord.  She was in charge up to the last minute.

Jeane was the eldest of four children born to Martha Ann Ediger and John Neil Jepson in Portland, Oregon. She spent her early years on a homestead in Alsea, Oregon.  Her family later moved to a farm in Cornelius where she graduated from elementary school in May, 1928.  She lived and worked in Portland as a housekeeper from 1930 till her marriage.

Jeane married George P. Gaither Jr. on August 23, 1941 and they lived in a farmhouse south of Cornelius before moving to Milwaukie, Oregon in 1956.  They were divorced in June, 1965.  Jeane later worked for the Safeway produce warehouse and Precision Cast Parts on brake assembly.

Jeane was a giving, thoughtful person who always supported others.  She was an avid gardener and multi-media artist.  She enjoyed crocheting as a pastime, making numerous hats, scarves and towels for everyone. When she was recovering from a broken hip in 2014 at Glisan Care Center, everyone she knew and saw received one of the hats she had made.

Jeane is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, John (Tom) and Joann Gaither of Lacey, Washington; daughter and son-in-law MaryAnn and Howard Lake of Hernando, Florida; niece Sandra Millius and Jeff Mottsinger of Portland; Dan Yeager, fondly referred to as Jeane’s “adopted” son, of Portland, Oregon; Tom’s first wife Karen Steiner of Beavercreek; grandson William Jay Gaither of Oregon City; Joan Gaither and granddaughters Katie Anne Henderson, Chelsie Nicole Gaither,

Emily Elizabeth Gaither, and great grandson Alijah Torres; several nieces and nephews and many who loved and admired her everywhere she stayed.

A memorial service will be held for Jeane at Rose City Cemetery Chapel, 5625 N.E. Fremont Street Portland, Oregon, a day/time in April to be determined.