Cheers to Jeanne -

A Fitting End Although Jeanne was getting on in age, she never let it show. Looking her best was always important to her. She kept her hair blonde and short, and always put on make-up before going out. She watched her weight (but, like her age, never told what it was), and she regularly had her nails done in Westhampton. She always wore her good gold jewelry and was often seen in cashmere sweaters, and her prized black ranch mink coat (with blue jeans), riding around in her black Mercedes. No-one ever guessed how old Jeanne was until, in 1999, when Jeanne was about to turn 80, she let everyone know. She decided to throw herself a festive birthday party--a big catered party like she'd never had before! Invitations, with a Libra theme, were sent to all her friends and family. She wanted everything to be the best, so she hired the area's finest restaurant to make all the arrangements, Tierra Mar (of the Bath & Tennis Hotel. Tierra Mar was included among 'The New York Times' "Ten Standout Restaurants in the Hamptons".) They put up a huge enclosed tent over the entire patio, had many pastel linen covered tables with pink rose bouquet centerpieces, and a very professional DJ handled the music. Nearly everyone came, friends from the B&B owners group, her children, her 3 grandchildren, and even her brother Bob and his wife Mie from Alabama, filling the house to capacity. An attentive staff was there for drinks, and they set up a long buffet of their finest creations, including delicious filet mignon! Jeanne's favorite dessert of rich chocolate Sacher torte was served drizzled with raspberry sauce. When all the guests thought things couldn't get any better, out came an outrageous, exotic belly-dancer who delighted all including Jeanne. Everyone laughed as she deliberately 'flirted' with some of the men. The funniest part was when she embarrassed Jeanne's 7 year-old grandson, John, letting him feel her wiggling belly ripple against his hand. The rest of the evening was spent talking, laughing and dancing. It was an evening no-one will ever forget; and that was the last party Jeanne would have in the house. Jeanne suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve of 2000, but it was the first of many small strokes she would later have. (It was even suspected that she may have had tiny strokes before that.) She needed care and couldn't live alone anymore. She moved in with her daughter's family in upstate New York. After a struggle, she quietly passed away in her sleep on July 24th, 2002. Her ashes were scattered, along the shore on the beach, where Jeanne always liked to be, soaking up the sunshine.