Jeanette Marie Thomason, passed away on Saturday, September 1 2018, at Cottage in the Meadow after an extended battle with Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma and bone cancer.
She was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on July 15, 1962. The family relocated to Puyallup, Washington. Later they moved to a small farm in Selah, Washington in 1972. Living on a small farm, she participated in 4-H, showing dairy cattle. She traveled to the World Dairy Expo, in Madison, WI with the Washington State dairy judging team. She attended Selah High School, graduating with honors in 1980. Jeanette was a writer on the Selah High School paper, a participant in band, playing the clarinet, and part of a group of classmates that remain close to this day.
At Washington State University, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. During that time, she participated in the Edward R. Murrow Symposium and was responsible for hosting Mrs. Edward R. Murrow. Directly after graduation, she began her career as editor for the Davenport Times (1986). She filled the role of reporter, photographer, and copy editor during her career for the Hermiston Herald (1987), the Pierce County Herald before moving to Toledo, WA to become the editor for the Lewis County News (1988). From
newspapers she moved to magazines, beginning her position as Managing Editor at Good Family Magazines/Cook Communications in 1993, in Sisters, Oregon. She moved to Colorado Springs, when Virtue Magazines relocated. From there she moved to Nashville in 1999 to work on Aspire magazine part of CCM Communications, Inc. After that, she found herself in Grand Rapids, MI (2005) as the editorial director of iBelieve.com but went back to books as an acquisition and special projects editor for Baker Publishing Group (2005). She eventually moved back to Colorado Springs, the love of her life, where she worked as an editor for Waterbrook Publishing Company, a division Random House.
Everyone Jeanette knew, or even met briefly, became a friend. There was not a person who did not respond to her kindness, generosity, spiritual richness, her amazing ability to craft words into profound ideas, or absolutely wonderful sense of humor. She was deeply committed to her love of God her entire life, from her times at the Church of Christ in Puyallup to her current church the Summitview Church of Christ, but treasured her time at the Mountain View Church of Christ in Colorado, Springs. She traveled with Compassion International to Thailand to build wells for villages without clean water.
Jeanette is remembered by coworkers and colleagues at Virtue Magazine as an adept, proficient, and much-loved managing editor and staff member working on, a Christian women's magazine. Authors, editors, art directors, office assistants and office personnel often heard the ring of Jeanette's laughter from her cubicle, or the lilt of her voice speaking with authors, magazine writers, and Christian personalities. Jeanette was a professional in every way, appreciated by colleagues, honored with awards earned from her work, but always the bright spot in every room.
She saw the best in everyone, but never believed she had done much with her life, or knew the impact she had on so many. In every place she worked she developed deep, long lasting friendships. Countless former co-workers, authors, publishers, high school friends and fellow Christians, as well as her recently met doctors, nurses and drivers, as well as her compassionate caretaker have kept in touch with her and sustained her during her illness.
Jeanette loved nature and animals, collecting various cats, but adored her American Eskimo Dog, Aspen, her buddy and friend. Growing up on a farm brought her into contact with farm animals as well. Many neighbors and friends will remember Jeanette as a loving, laughing, beautiful neighbor and dear sister and daughter. She lit up a room with intelligent conversation about authors, books, stories, and the art of writing as well as the appreciation of friends and family. Jeanette's quick wit, intelligence, and sense of humor was a delight to all who knew her. We will miss her terribly, but understand that she is now without pain, or suffering. Now in the arms of the Almighty, we will never forget her beauty, strength of character, or the ring of her laughter.
Jeanette is survived by her parents, Eddie and Janice Thomason of Selah, Washington; and sister, Caralee Thomason of Selah. Preceding her in death is a sister, Cherie Thomason (born and dying October 6, 1959); brother Greg Thomason; grandparents Eddie Lee and Elpha Thomason, and James Earl and Helen Roach, all of Oklahoma.
There will be a private graveside service at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life is planned Saturday, September 15th 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Summitview Church of Christ, 100 N 72nd Avenue, Yakima.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cottage in the Meadow.