Mrs. Jean Washam

Jean Washam of Asheville died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The cause of death was determined to be an unexpected heart attack. Resuscitation efforts by the Mission Emergency staff, though valiant, proved unsuccessful. Jean Washam was born on December 25, 1923, a true child of Christmas. Daughter of the late James and Florence Longden Ainsley of Masontown, Pennsylvania, she was one of a family of nine children. Graduating from Masontown High School, she continued on to West Penn University’s nursing school in Pittsburgh, PA. As a registered nurse, Jean pursued her nursing career at both the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Michigan Hospital. She met, and later married Dick Washam, her husband of almost 60 years, while Head Nurse of the Internal Medicine floor of the University of Michigan Hospital. Their life together began with their marriage in 1952, and through the years found residences in Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, Connecticut and New York, followed by retirement in Asheville, North Carolina in 1992. Jean’s life has been one of loving and caring for family and friends, and for all those persons her life met and touched. Jean and Dick have been blessed with three lovely daughters, Kimberly Washam of Portland, ME, Krista Washam Lablue of Asheville, NC, and Karen Dobrinski of Hopkinton, MA. They are the proud grandparents of three grandchildren, Katie and Ryan Dobrinski and Rebekkah Lablue. During Jean’s lifetime she felt the loss of both parents, three brothers and four sisters. She is survived by her youngest sister, Mary Ann Lessner of Howell, Michigan, her loving husband, Dick, their three children and three grandchildren. Patches, a German Short Haired Pointer, the most recent addition to the family and beloved companion, like Jean, befriends and loves everyone he encounters. The family will receive friends at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, on Sunday evening from 5-7pm. A memorial service will be held at 11am Monday morning at the Central Union Methodist Church on Church Street, followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery. Afterwards, we invite friends and family to our home to share tears and laughter in memory of a beautiful, loving and gentle spirit. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made through the family to the children of Covenant House and/or the American Heart Association. Morris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent through the website www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com

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Mrs. Jean Washam

December 25, 1923 - January 18, 2012