Jean Marie Hillstead's Obituary
Jean Marie (Sandin) Hillstead was born February 8th, 1930 to Larry and Elinor Sandin of Dunnell, Minnesota. She passed peacefully from this life on April 12th, 2019, surrounded by family. She is survived by her husband Bob of over 60 years, 3 children, Jon (Christal), Beth Holand (Dick), Kristen Hillstead, her brother Frank Sandin (David Schultz) 5 grandchildren, Ashley, Jon, Emma, Jake, Haaken, and 2 great grandchildren, Harrison and Harley, and a kitty named Maggie.
Growing up in Southern Minnesota, Jean enjoyed all the benefits, comforts and safety of a small town. Biking everywhere, exploring the outdoors, swimming and ice skating on the local lakes, fishing with her dad, celebrating thunderstorms and sunsets, and also learning to play the piano which gave her the unique opportunity to perform a solo for Eleanor Roosevelt!
After the U.S. entered WWII, her family, which now included her younger brother Frank, and a cat, moved to West Seattle where her father began working for Boeing. Jean graduated from West Seattle High School, ahead of schedule in 1947, and then attended the University of Washington. She always had an adventurous spirit, challenging herself, asserting her independence (especially when cruising around Seattle in her shiny, Studebaker convertible)! Her interests remained varied as a member of the Swedish Club, the Mountaineers, and weekly skiing adventures with her brother.
In 1949, she became employed by the Washington State Ferry system. In 1955 she met Bob Hillstead at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, where Bob was doing his Pastoral internship. Within a month of their first date, Bob presented Jean with a ring and asked for her hand in marriage. They married in 1958, moved to Tacoma, (Midland), in 1960 and raised three children. As a pastor’s wife and young mother Jean was very active in many aspects of church and community life including: helping to plan and organize annual smorgasbords and helping to start the Midland Co-Op preschool.
In the early “70’s, she attended Bates Vocational School and re-entered the work force as a medical transcriptionist, and eventually a medical bookkeeper for Neurology/Neurosurgery Association of Tacoma. At this point she had the foresight to use part of her income to purchase saltwater property at Taylor Bay on the Key Peninsula, which the family still enjoys to this day. After leaving Neuro/Neuro in the mid ‘90’s, she moved on to her last and maybe her favorite employment opportunity, becoming the Athletic Department Secretary at Mt. Tahoma High School, reluctantly retiring in 2006.
Jean was truly a Renaissance woman having a profound knowledge and interest in many things.
She loved the Arts, attending the Seattle opera and all the glamour that came with it. She enjoyed musicals, ballet, the theatre, films and plays. She loved classical, jazz and contemporary music. She loved to dance, ballroom, folk and doing the jitterbug.
She loved to travel by air, land and sea. She would study and learn about the culture and history of the places she would visit. From Alaska to Washington D.C., Minnesota to California, she relished in knowing about the history of our nation, and about all the people who influenced this country; from the Native Americans, to the Pilgrims, to the founding fathers. She respected and admired their impacts and sacrifice.
She loved spending time on the saltwater, either putzing around the south sound in our family boat or cruising on a yacht with her brother to Shaw Island in the San Juan’s, and Little Dent Island in British Columbia.
She loved reading and read voraciously for fun and for knowledge; devouring historical novels, best-sellers, and poetry. She kept abreast of current events and politics, women’s rights and environmental issues.
She enjoyed many other hobbies and activities. She was a machine quilter, did cross-stitch, was an incredible cook, love to bowl, fed the birds (especially the Chickadees and Pine Siskins), she tinkered with gardening and never pulled a dandelion, she considered them a beautiful flower growing in the wrong place.
She loved puzzles and games; Jigsaw, Sudoku, and the challenging New York Times Crossword. She taught her kids how to play poker, Tripoly, and Canasta, even skipped a “few” Sunday church services to continue playing a marathon game of Monopoly.
Her love of the environment was paramount, teaching us to reduce, re-use and recycle at a very young age. She taught us the importance of trees and to respect the earth; that all forms of flora and fauna served a purpose in our world.
Her love of the saltwater, seagulls, sand dollars, sunsets and stars were so much a part of her life, providing joy, comfort and wonder. Jean’s favorite place to be was at the beach, on the deck at sunset. With Bob playing guitar, a glass of wine nearby, friends and family sitting with her enjoying deep and meaningful conversation, and lots of laughter.
Jean, wife, mother, sister, grandma, great grandmother and true friend, you will be deeply missed.
Her name is now engraved in the hands of God (Isaiah 49:16 NIV). Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the amazing staff at King’s Manor for the love, support and care they provided Jean.
There will be a Celebration of Life on May 11th, 2 p.m. at Lutheran Church of Christ the King.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lutheran Church of Christ the King, Alzheimer’s Foundation, the Humane Society, or a foundation of their choice.
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