GANNON, Jeanne

Gannon, Jeanne Mae (Burke) dearly beloved mother and grandmother, died March 13, 2010, following a brave battle against lung cancer in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was born February 10 1925, in Rainier, Oregon to Elmer Anderson and Carrie Belle Davis. Her mother later remarried and as an infant, Jeanne was adopted by Harold Burke. Her childhood was spent in the Longview, Vader, and Ryderwood, Washington communities and later Gresham, Oregon where she graduated from Gresham Union HS in 1942. On April 10th, 1943 Jeanne married Capt. Richard Lewis Gannon a Columbia River pilot, and they settled in Portland, Oregon. where they raised their family of five children. Following a divorce from Capt. Gannon, Jeanne worked for many years in Portland area offices before retiring in the early 1990's. Her later years were spent living nearest her daughter Cheryl and family in the Chicago and Phoenix areas. Jeanne adored her family, loved watching every sport, was always ready for a good pinochle game and was an avid reader. Because Jeanne was so busy raising her children, she learned to drive only later in life. As she laughingly agreed, she proved to be a horrible driver of an automobile but an excellent driver of a golf ball. Jeanne is survived by her five children; Cheryl Meriweather (Bob) in Scottsdale, Arizona; Michael Anne Koehuloa (Kamaunu) in Molokai, Hawaii; Marilyn Gannon (Mike) in Beaverton, Oregon; Bob Gannon (Patty) in Fort Collins, Colorado; Steve Gannon (Karin) in Sherwood, Oregon; and 9 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. All of her children were with her this February to celebrate Jeanne's 85th birthday. Per her wishes, no services are to be held at this time. Instead, a celebration is being planned on the first anniversary of her death, at Jeanne's beloved Oregon coast so that the entire extended family can gather once again and pay tribute to her wonderful life. The family requests that memorial donations be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower St., Phoenix, Arizona 85014.