Jeanette Lillian Camp

Resident of Menlo Park

Jean Camp, age 95, died peacefully at her home on August 27, 2015, with her daughter and caregiver at her side. Jean was a loving and caring woman who could always see the bright side of life. Over her last months, she kept her spirits high and was so grateful to have lived so many years and to have shared her life with so many wonderful people.

Jean was born on May 27, 1920, along side her twin sister Jewell, in the oil fields near Orcutt, California, to Bert and Gladyus Dinnes. Jewell died on December 21, 2014. Both Jean and Jewell are survived by their older sister, Betty, who lives in Grass Valley at age 97.

Jean went to the Orcutt Grammar School and graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1938. That same year she met and married Ed Camp and settled in San Francisco. In 1940, they had their first child, Joanne, and in 1944 their son, Jim. In 1951, the family moved to Menlo Park, where Jean and Ed lived for the rest of their lives. They were married for 52 years until Ed died in 1990.

Jean was a home maker, an accomplished seamstress and a dedicated volunteer. She almost always had needle and thread in hand, either mending, hemming, crocheting, quilting, or knitting. Teaching her great-granddaughters how to sew and crochet was a highlight for her in recent years. Jean was an active member at Saint Bede's Episcopal Church and served on the Altar Guild. She was also active with the Peninsula Volunteers at their Menerton's Thrift Shop and, for several years, managed the Gift Shop Boutique at Little House Senior Center in Menlo Park. In 2010, Jean was formally recognized by the California State Legislature and the Junior League of San Jose for her outstanding commitment to service in her community.

Late in her life, Jean met and fell in love with Harry Harrison, a fellow member of Little House, who had also lost his spouse. They shared several years enjoying life together, until Harry's death in 2012.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Joanne Barnes, (Jim, Joanne's husband, died in 1993) her son, Jim Camp (Elizabeth Patrick), grandchildren Ralph Barnes and Deborah Neil (Richard) and great grandchildren, Steven Barnes, Sara Robba (Jason), Jennifer Neil, Elizabeth Neil, Jeanette Neil and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to give a special thanks to Almaz, Jean's caregiver for more than a year and a half. Her attention and love for our mother was extraordinary. We also wish to thank Jean's other caregivers, Helen, Elizabeth and Ken, and the fine staff of Pathways Home and Hospice, all of whom gave so much joy and comfort in the last years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jean's memory to Peninsula Volunteers, Inc., 800 Middle Road, Menlo Park, CA (www.penvol.org) or your favorite charity.

Services will be held for both Jean and her twin sister Jewell on November 7, 2015 at 1:00PM at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, 2650 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park, CA.

PAID OBITUARY