Dorothy Jean (Jacquemart) Lyon, 86
Dorothy Jean (Jacquemart) Lyon, better known as “Jeannie” or “Jeannie Pie,” decided her time on Earth was done on Feb. 16, 2017 at her home in Kalispell, leaving to join the love of her life, John, her family and by countless friends she has not seen in a long time. Jeannie will be missed by many.
Jeannie was born on Feb. 11, 1931 in Foley, Minnesota to Pete and Mary Buckley Jacquemart. Pete and Mary spent three years in Minnesota helping his family on the farm before returning to their home in Shelby.
Most of Jeannie’s life was spent in Shelby where she graduated from high school. She worked throughout her school years cleaning houses, babysitting and eventually obtaining one of the best jobs in Shelby for a teenager, an usherette at the Roxy Theater. After high school, she was promoted to bookkeeper and held that job until her marriage to John Lyon on Aug. 11, 1951.
Jeannie and John enjoyed a wonderful life in Shelby where they raised five children and were active members of the community. John owned and operated KSEN Radio while Jeannie worked relentlessly to help John master whatever he set his mind to. Jeannie was behind the scenes, making sure everyone was well-fed, the house was spotless, the laundry done, the kids clean, and travel plans complete.
After selling the radio station in 1976, John went into the oil and gas industry, eventually moving the business to Whitefish in 1986. Shortly before John died in 1993, they moved to Kalispell where Jeannie lived until her death.
Jeannie’s family was her life. She would do anything for them as well as others in need. No one entered Jeannie’s house without being offered pie, cake, cookies, coffee, a meal or a martini if it was after five. Without realizing it, Jeannie touched everyone with her warmth and love. In her later years, Jeannie filled her freezer with gallons and gallons of soup for her grandchildren, who never left her home without a full grocery bag.
Jeannie never met a washer, dryer, ironing board or cleaning utensil she didn’t like. The family didn’t have a laundry hamper because Mom was always on the hunt for items to fill the washer with so she could run another load of laundry. Spring cleaning was never done in her home because it was done every Saturday, with the help of five argumentative and complaining kids.
Jeannie and her four sisters, Patsy, Georgia, Peggy and Helen, legendarily known as the “Jacquemart Girls,” were famous for their beauty, charm and wit. Through-out their lives, the Jacquemart Girls competed over who was the best cook. For years, they argued about their pie dough recipe, who it originated with and eventually it became known as the “Jacquemart Girls Pie Dough.”
Adored by her grandchildren, Jeannie was always there for them whether it was their favorite meal, a few extra bucks, or just her smile and advice. Her wisdom was a guide they all sought. Despite her reputation as a stern mother, she proved herself to be gentle, kind, and full of love and understanding to her grandchildren. (Well, most of the time! Occasionally, it was beware the wrath of Grandma.)
Jeannie leaves behind her constant companion and beloved dog, Mojo. Her spirit lives on in her children, Julie Lyon, Kalispell, Joni Stewart (Butch), Cut Bank, Joanna Lyon, Kalispell, Jeff Lyon, Kalispell, and Jamie Darbro (Pat), Bozeman; grandchildren Nate Hagen (Amber), Brett Morton (Alessia), Derin Russo (Anthony), Nick Morton (Nicole), Annie King, John Lyon (Jordanne), Ali Lyon, Steven Lyon, Izy Lyon, Katie Compton (Ben), and Anthony Darbro; great-grandchildren, Avery Russo, Jean Lyon, and Aryiah Lyon. Additionally, she leaves behind many special nieces and nephews and her “adopted daughter,” Ruth Lindberg Flesch. During the last few years, Jeannie was lucky enough to be cared for by Julie Musialowski, who came to hold a special place in all of our hearts, especially Jeannie’s.
Jeannie was predeceased by her husband, John; parents, Pete and Mary Jacquemart; siblings, Patsy Brown, Georgia Krshka, Peggy Mallette, Helen Schnee and Pete Jacquemart Jr.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Risen Christ Church with a celebration luncheon in the church hall following the service. Rosary vigil is at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Risen Christ Church. Burial will be at a later date at Mountain View Cemetery in Shelby.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home of Kalispell is handling the funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Risen Christ Parish, St. Williams Parish or an organization of your choice.
We ask that you have a martini (dirty with three green olives and a twist of lemon, fondly known as a Jeannie Martini at Spencer’s Steakhouse), a glass of wine or your favorite drink and make a toast in honor of a life well-lived!