Jeannette Ann Richards, M.D. '62

Jeannette Ann Richards, M.D. '62, passed away peacefully, after a full and rewarding life, on July 10 at The Meadows of Napa Valley, where she spent her final years. She had turned 100 on Jan. 9.

Born in Modesto, California, Richards faced challenges throughout her life with great strength and determination. Having lost her mother while she was a child, she took on household tasks and chores meant for someone beyond her years. She worked evenings in a cannery to save money for nursing school. After a few years of nursing and observing the job of doctors, she entered what was then a male-dominated field, earning her M.D. at nearly 40 years of age. She accepted an anesthesiologist position at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, where she became a respected and honored staff member.

Richards retired to Eureka, California, where she enjoyed bowling, photography, gardening, walking, working out at the local gym and serving on the board of the Danish Society in Ferndale. At age 92, she moved to The Meadows, where she enjoyed the camaraderie of her peers in independent living and the excellent care of staff in skilled nursing the past 2 1/2 years.

In life, Richards went about her business with determination. She was a modest and unpretentious person who had her own agenda and worked hard to achieve her accomplishments. She led an exemplary life, setting some very high standards for herself, modeled extraordinary values and behavior for others, and left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She traveled the world, climbed (or skied) many mountains, and achieved all her goals. Richards made a difference in the lives of her patients, colleagues, friends and family.

Richards' favorite organization was Diabetic Youth Families, where she volunteered many summers as crafts instructor and medical assistant.

Her family wrote, "We all are grateful that she lived and provided us with so many memories of comfort and pride."

By her side in the final days were her daughter, Carolyn Carpenter, and son-in-law, Fred Matias; her loving and dedicated nephew, John Richards, and his spouse Raj Walia; her great-niece, Hilary Martin, and her husband, Paul Martin.

Richards was preceded in death by her brothers, Clyde, Donald and Wayne Richards, and her sister-in-law, Maxine Richards. She is survived by her favorite cousin, Francis Sweet of Ferndale; her nieces and nephews, Jim Richards, Janice Skiles, Joyce Ford, Glen Richards, Sharon Richards, Kenneth Richards, Randy Richards and Nancy Lucero; and many great nieces and nephews.

There was a memorial service and interment in Ferndale on Aug. 20.