Obituary of Jeanne Gordner

Jeanne Gordner was born in 1922 in Alberta, Canada. She grew up in Longview, Washington, graduating from R.A. Long High School in 1940 and Reed College in 1946, majoring in Political Science and History. She outlived two husbands, David M. Roderick and Lorence Gordner. She received her teaching degree from Central Washington University and taught at Franklin Junior High School in Yakima for many years, retiring to Whidbey Island. After Lorence’s death, she moved to Olympia and was active in politics, conservation, hiking, gardening, and the arts. She travelled worldwide. She was deeply involved in the Olympia poetry community. She has published three books of her own poetry. She is survived by her sister, Laura Hopp; sons, David and Bartley Roderick (Donna); daughter, Laura Roderick; foster daughter, Betty Schleiffers (Scott); stepchildren, Sally Gordner and Robert Gordner (Roberta); and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Please leave memories of Jeanne or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.