Our wonderful mother, the heart and soul of our family, passed away January 6, 2000, after a valiant struggle with cancer.
She was born at home on February 17, 1926 in San Jose, CA to Louis and Jeanette Rugg Drouet. She became a Registered Nurse and served in the Cadet Nurses Corps. She met and married "the love of her life", Charles Nidever Gates on July 20, 1946, in Fresno, California. He died tragically in a plane crash on Dec. 6, 1963. She dedicated her life to raising her two "red heads" alone, working at the LDS Hospital Blood Bank as head nurse for nearly 30 years. She was known for her professionalism, high standards, care and concern for the donors. She was loved and admired by her friends, family and co-workers.Jeanette met and married her "diamond in the rough", Leonard Johnson, on June 21, 1972 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They had ten wonderful years together. He died on Dec. 3, 1982. Upon retirement, Mom golfed, crocheted afghans, and attended Women's Utah Motor Transport Association.
She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne Patterson (Ken); son, Rick C. Gates (Linda); granddaughters, Dominique Swinyer (Mike), Crystal Power; grandsons, Brandon Patterson, Uriah Power, and Adam Power; sister, Carolyn Deshlevy, Bellingham, WA; nieces, cousins, and Leonard's children, Len Johnson (Yun-Sun), Kathy Bird, and their children.
A special thanks to Drs. Jennifer Fishbauch and Anna Beck, the Highland Cove Care Center, Vista Hospice, and their caring compassionate staff. Thanks to her many friends for their calls and support these past years.
As per Jeannette's wishes, private family graveside services will be held in San Jose, California.