Jeannie Wesley Hendee
84, Rochester, Minn.
A memorial gathering will be held in late Spring of 2023, in Rochester, Minn., for Jeannie Wesley Hendee, 84, passed away in her home surrounded by her family on January 23, 2023. More information will be provided at a later date.
She was born in Columbia on Sept. 1, 1938, her father's birthday. Her parents, Texie Craft and Lewis Wesley, raised he along with her sister and two brothers on the family dairy farm. She loved music and sang soprano in the church and college choirs and played piano. She graduated with a BA in Elementary Education from Millsaps College.
On April 16, 1960, she married William “Bill” Hendee and they had seven children, including two sets of twins, Mikal, Shonn, Eric, Gareth, Greg, Lara Gwen and Karel. They had seven grandchildren, Sarah, Stacia, Wesley, Bijou, Jenna, Tyler and Kyle. They lived in Tennessee, Mississippi, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
She loved art, music, theater and nature, and taught her children to appreciate the arts and to see beauty everywhere. Her home was like an art museum and a curiosity shop with many things to delight in. She collected unique and original artwork and each piece had a special story. She was a strong supporter of individual artists, arts organizations, and museums. She and Bill traveled throughout the world, which fostered her love of all people and cultures. They shared a love of opera, theater, music, and ballet and attended many performances at world-class theaters. She had an extensive library that was a joy to peruse with a wide array of books from all over the world. She loved learning new things and had a curious and expansive mind.
She loved being a mother and was dearly cherished by all her children and grandchildren who called her “Mimi.” She had a special gift with children, especially babies. She would often help mothers with their fussy children as her presence was very calming and soothing. Her family members and friends loved to have one on one time with her because she took a deep interest in each person and made them feel special and appreciated. Whether it was offering wise counsel or whimsical enthusiasm, she loved to connect with people on a personal level. She was known for her beautiful smile and the sparkle in her eyes. People remember her for her generosity, kindness, warmth and compassion, and she made positive impacts on people in powerful ways through her love and support.
She was an artist of life. Her canvas was her spirit and she painted with the brushes of love, kindness, color and beauty. You can find her artwork in the galleries of human hearts. Her inspiration lives on through all who remember and loved her.
Special notes or cards can be sent to Bill Hendee.
If you would like to make a donation in her honor, the family is requesting that donations be sent to the Barbara Davis Children’s Diabetes Foundation. This organization was extremely helpful to Jeannie's family. Donations can be made online or mailed to: The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, 1775 Aurora Court #A140, M20, Anschutz Campus, Aurora, CO 80045.
