Jean Heckingbottom Welch, 95

The heavens grew a little brighter on the evening of Dec. 12, 2021, when Jean Heckingbottom Welch passed away at the age of 95 at Kootenai Health Hospital in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, surrounded by family.

Jean was born Jan. 3, 1926, to Agnes and Harry Heckingbottom in Oak Park, Ill. After graduating from Austin High School in 1944, she and her half-sister, Ruth, moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where she met the love of her life, Thomas James Welch, on a blind date. The two were married in June of 1953 and welcomed their two daughters Linda and Carol in October 1954 and December 1957, respectively.

Jean was a devoted mother; active in the PTA, a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and volunteer at school carnivals and events. She was also involved in her community, volunteering with Burbank Red Cross for 20 years, a member of the Burbank Women’s Club for 10 years and could often be found working on election boards.

In 1996, Tom and Jean retired to Hayden, Idaho, where their eldest daughter and family had moved 18 months prior. Jean was a lover of animals and rescued several cats from local shelters over the years and always tended to the local wildlife that visited her yard.

In her golden years, Jean was a creature of habit, spending her mornings enjoying a cup of coffee while reading the local newspaper from front to back, cutting out articles to share with friends and family and working the crossword puzzle. Wednesdays were her stay-in day, Thursdays were spent at the beauty shop getting her hair done (she was known for her signature big hair) followed by her weekly marketing trip. Fridays were nail day and Saturdays were typically spent having dinner and game night with her daughter, Linda, and son-in-law Bill. Phase-10 was her game of choice, and she often came away victorious.

Jean was a picture of grace, always perfectly put together whenever she left the house. Her family was her greatest pride and she spent her life showering love on all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never missed sending a card, whether it be a birthday, holiday or sincere thank you for having her for dinner. She had a knack for gift-giving. She wouldn’t say so, but there was always a great deal of thoughtfulness behind every gift. Her greatest gift to all who knew her was her infallibly positive spirit. Her smile brightened any room she walked into, and she always looked for the good in every situation. May we all strive to embody those characteristics into our own lives.

Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas James Welch; her half sister, Ruth McDermott; mother, Agnes; stepfather, George McCaull; father, Harry Heckingbottom; and stepmother, Genevieve.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Linda Smith (Bill) and Carol Garcia (Edward); her stepdaughter, Denise VanEps; grandchildren: Summer Oman (Jason), Katie Garcia, Chelsea Nokes (Sean), and Keith Garcia (Natalie); step grandchildren: Brent VanEps (Jennifer), Clint VanEps (Jessica), and Mark VanEps; six great-grandchildren and five step great-grandchildren.

Please help her kindness and compassion for animals carry on by donating to or volunteering at your local humane society.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Jean’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com