It is with a mix of sadness and solace that we announce Jeannette Adeline Middleton is free of pain and passed away peacefully at home.
Jeannette was born in 1936, and her life was shaped by her upbringing in Paint Rock, Alabama where her childhood was so joyful she didn’t realize how poor they were until many years after she left. She was educated in a one-room schoolhouse by Miss Esley, where she developed a strong scholastic base and a love of reading. She quickly outgrew Judson College, which she described as a “Finishing School” and transferred to Auburn University where her beauty caught the attention of—well—everybody! She was crowned Homecoming Queen and Miss Auburn and exemplified her favorite saying “pretty is as pretty does.” There she met her future husband, David Middleton, who preceded her in death.
Jeannette embraced motherhood and stayed home raising her family for many years. But once they were grown, she set about shifting her focus to her community, first through serving on the Ann Arbor City Council and then becoming a trusted partner to many as they navigated the real estate market. She also volunteered in numerous capacities throughout her life in Ann Arbor—from the St. Joseph Auxiliary, to the Thrift Shop, Delonis Center, First Presbyterian Church, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) among others.
Jeannette made friends everywhere she went and loved seeing so many of them at her big eighty-eighth birthday bash last spring. She always looked for the good, and other than the occasional “bless her heart” about an “unfortunate personality,” she rarely had a negative comment about anyone.
She was intensely loyal and gracious in the care of her husband during his extended demise into dementia, which was rewarded by her partner, Jim Douglass in his gentle care for her. He survives her, as do her three children; Clark (Amy Jacobs) Middleton, Dr. Eric (Cindy) Middleton, and Beth (Mark) Ginzinger along with three grandchildren; Maggie (Joe) Lavond, Court Middleton and Paul Ginzinger.
We would like to thank her caregiver Norma Hunt and all her friends from her many aspects of life who have checked in, brought meals, sent a card, or just kept her in your thoughts.
Jeannette—you will be missed beyond words but you instilled a joy for this precious life and an attitude of appreciation for all that had the honor of being your friend.
A memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor on April 7.