Jeanne Rosalie Kyle Blessing was a loving mother, devoted sister, and caring friend. After a brief, yet courageous fight against a resurgence of endometrial and cervical cancer, Jean quietly left this world on March 24, 2023. For 80 years, the world shone a little brighter with the light of her steadfast strength and her deeply layered, but fierce capacity to love.

Jeanne was born to Donald Vincent and Merle Kyle on March 22, 1943, in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. She grew up in Canada with her mom, dad, and five brothers and sisters. As a teenager, Jeanne dreamed of seeing the world. After graduating from high school, that dream became a reality when Jeanne began participating in American Airlines’ first integrated flight attendant program in New York City. While working as a flight attendant supervisor, she met her ex-husband, Edward W. Blessing. They had one child together: their daughter, Megan Louise of Dallas.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Jeanne earned her teaching degree and masters in education in California. Her creative, caring, and determined nature made her a popular elementary school teacher. She excelled at planning lessons that were simultaneously educational and engaging, especially when teaching science, and early reading skills, like phonics. Jeanne had a knack for developing a supportive learning environment for troubled children that nobody else could reach. She fervently believed that all children, regardless of their background, deserved a quality education.

During her free time, Jeanne enjoyed painting and sculpture. She attended art classes at Emeritus College in California, where she excelled in a vast array of artistic styles; touching self-portraits, paintings of loved ones, vibrant portrayals of lush flower arrangements, stylish modern art pieces, and detailed human sculptures… All of these were an extension of Jeanne’s deeply-felt emotions. Once, overcome by the emotion layered in her sculpted human figurines, Jeanne’s art teacher noted that they “seem[ed] to live in a world of their own.”

Along with her daughter, Megan, Jeanne is survived by her brothers Pat, Frances, and Beau Kyle. She is also survived by her sisters, Shirley Kyle Hill and Kathy Kyle Robson, her niece, Julia Carter, and her nephews, James and Tristan Robson. 

Jeanne’s ashes will be spread in a few of the places she loved best, including Venice, CA, New York City, NY, and Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada.