Jeanette Stusser Gage peacefully went to be with God on May 13, 2022. She was born April 6, 1929, to Julius Stusser and Hazel Frankford Stusser at Hoquiam General Hospital. Jeanette joined her three older siblings: Lawrence, Gilbert and Catherine at the family home on Chenault Avenue in Hoquiam.
Jeanette attended school in Hoquiam and graduated in 1947. She was active in the music department playing snare drum in band, string bass in orchestra and sang in the choir. Jeanette was also an accomplished pianist until she was 90 years old.
After graduation, Jeanette became a licensed florist after attending floral school in Portland, Oregon. When she returned to Hoquiam, she opened her own flower shop, Jeanette’s Floral Nook, on the corner of Simpson Avenue and 3rd Street at 18 years of age. She also sold school supplies, candy bars, soda and fresh popped popcorn. The high school and junior high was across the street and kept her in business with lunchtime sales. She owned the shop until 1954 when she sold it to stay home with her growing family.
In 1953, Jeanette married Homer Gage. They were married until his death in January of 2021. They had three children: Vincent (Angie) of Humptulips, Frank (Cheryl) of Hoquiam and Julie (Gary) of Hoquiam. They were blessed with six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and several “bonus” grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jeanette considered her family to be her greatest accomplishment.
When her children were growing up she worked part time at Thomas Flowers.
Jeanette was actively involved in grassroots politics. She was a member of the Grays Harbor Democratic party. She was a precinct committeeman and held all the offices in the Grays Harbor Democratic Central Committee throughout the years. For many years she recruited the election board workers for the Hoquiam area.
Her specialty was fundraising through open house coffee receptions in her home. She hosted the likes of Gov. Al Rossellini, Sen. Scoop Jackson, Sen. Warren Magnuson to name a few as well as several county commissioner candidates and mayoral candidates. In her activist days, an endorsement from Jeanette Gage was highly sought after by all Grays Harbor County Democratic candidates.
Jeanette resided at the Gulke Manor in Montesano at the time of her passing. She loved listening to music of her era like Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra. She really enjoyed the violin and piano recitals performed by her great-granddaughters when they visited her. Another favorite pastime was laughing at “I Love Lucy” and “Golden Girls” reruns with her fellow residents.
Jeanette was one of the “Golden Girls” at Gulke Manor where she was pampered and cared for by the loving staff for 19 months. She made wonderful friends with both staff and residents alike. Her family is grateful to the owner and staff for providing excellent care for both Jeanette and Homer at the end of their life journeys.
Jeanette will be remembered by her family and friends for her quick wit, infectious smile, ready opinions and love for baking. She also loved her flower garden and could make anything grow. Her family fondly remember Jeanette’s deviled eggs, cinnamon rolls, berry cobblers and lasagna but most of all she was famous for her cookies. She baked several times a week until she was 90 years old.
A private interment will be held at Hoquiam Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
Jeanette’s favorite charity was the Hoquiam Foodbank.
Cremation arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net
