Jeanne Merrill Pudoff-Oyen, 63, of Ketchum, Idaho, entered into eternal peace on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014.
She was born on Aug. 29, 1950, daughter of the late Walter and Mildred Pudoff of San Francisco, Calif. Jeanne graduated from Lincoln High School in 1968 and received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of San Francisco in 1972. She earned her teaching credential in 1973 from the University of San Francisco and a master’s degree in Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University.
In her early years, Jeanne was a high school physical education teacher, an airline stewardess and a counselor for Big Brothers and Sisters. Later, she worked as a licensed professional counselor in Ketchum. Her yearning for education continued throughout her life.
Jeanne was a beloved member of the community and as an advocate for the support of women, she was instrumental in many of the community’s programs, including the Women’s Resource Center, Crisis Hotline, The Advocates, Circle Counsel and was an advisor to the board of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). She was an active member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
Jeanne had many interests and talents. She enjoyed dance, gymnastics, skiing, whitewater rafting, baking, cooking, arts and crafts and photography. Jeanne was a world traveler and especially loved experiencing different cultures and connecting with the local people. She was an avid reader and was even a published writer.
Jeanne suffered from treatment-resistant depression for over 15 years. She fought vigilantly and courageously to find relief from this debilitating disease.
Jeanne is survived by her husband, Gary, of 23 years; her step-daughter Dove Spangler (Dale); her sister Susan Rackusin (Bruce) and niece Stacy Rackusin of San Francisco; her brother John Pudoff (Judy) of Cloverdale, Calif., and nephews, Nick and Bill Pudoff of Calif.; brother and sister-in law, Harold and Janet Oyen of Mill Valley, Calif.; and nephews, Reidar Oyen of Ketchum, Idaho, and Erik Oyen of Petaluma, Calif.; great niece Kayla Oyen of San Rafael, Calif.; and sister-in-law Ingrid Oyen of Daly City, Calif. Her brother Bill Pudoff of San Francisco precedes Jeanne in death.
A church service will be held Saturday morning, Feb. 8, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum, Idaho.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness.
