Jeanne Marie Eutsler

On Sunday, December 20, 2020, the Eutsler and Preston Families along with the communities of Patrick County, VA and Baltimore, MD, lost a Bright Light, when Jeanne Marie (Bunce) Eutsler passed away in her home at Spirithaven Farm outside of Stuart, VA.

Born to John Wilmer and Louise Rosalie (Mattes) Bunce on September 27, 1929.  Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, several aunts and uncles including her beloved Anna Marie Mattes.  Her soul mate Clarence James (Jim/Pop) Eutsler, has awaited his reunion with Jeanne since 2000.

An only child, born during The Great Depression,  Jeanne grew up on Ashland Avenue and attended ST. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.  She graduated from Eastern High School.  Jeanne was a dancer who said her claim to fame was “Dancing on the Radio”, as she tapdanced during Saturday morning shows on WFBR in Baltimore, where she later worked.  Jeanne loved roller skating, which was a good thing, as on one fateful night, having been spun around by a friend, she fell into the path of Jim Eutsler who, skating backward as his job as guard required, promptly fell over her.  Several years later they were married.  The couple moved to Parkville, MD and shared their home with Jeanne’s parents and three aunts.  Two years after their marriage in 1954, their son, John Scott, was born.  Their daughter, Karen Jeanne, joined the family in 1959.  After the family spent two years on the West Coast during the late 1960’s, Jeanne returned to Baltimore and rejoined the staff of Retail Store Services.  She traveled to High Point, NC and Chicago, IL, where she spoke to numerous groups about trends in the furniture industry at National Furniture Markets.  As busy as she was, she always had time for her family.  She gave her children a loving home and cared for her aging parents and aunts as well.

In 1998, Jeanne and Jim moved to Patrick County, VA, joining Scott and his wife Kay on their family farm, Spirithaven.  Her beloved Jim passed away two years later.  Jeanne remained on the farm she loved helping to care for the animals and her family.

Jeanne loved to cook and baking was her specialty.  For many years she made cakes and brownies and would take them to local businesses, much to the delight of the folks to whom they were given.  It was no wonder that her friends at the living history events she loved and attended caller her “Cookie”.

Jeanne’s primary passion was caring for people.  It is all she ever really wanted to do, and she did so quite successfully all her life.  Anyone who ever knew her experienced this expression of her love.  She never met a stranger.  Within five minutes of meeting Jeanne, it would be a good bet that a new friend would have been the beneficiary of a hug and something good to eat. 

As with too many of our neighbors, Jeanne suffered from a progressive and debilitating disease, which slowly stole her away from us.  Her family misses her desperately, but we realize the loss is not ours alone.  She did not belong to us and there are so many who grieve with us.  This would likely have surprised Jeanne, as she never could conceive and believe she was so loved.  People like her seem to come into our lives too rarely and, when lost, are impossible to replace. 

Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Karen of Baltimore, MD and son, Scott and wife Kay of Stuart, VA.  She was blessed with grandchildren Shane, Stephanie, Daniel, Katie, Kara and Amber.   Special granddaughters Rana, Katy and Audrey.  Great grandchildren are Khalig, Nic, Dom, Khaiya, Julz, Khionna, Chloe, Khamdyn, Kingston, Lacey and Nola.  All will remember and miss the reading of bedtime stories, watching old movies, coloring, singing with her and her back rubs. 

The family would like to say a huge "Thank You" to Mountain Valley Hospice and The Patrick County Alzheimer's Group.  We would also like to recognize Mom's Aides, Sandy, Valerie, Sharon, Tina, Bernice, Tammy, Carolyn and Barbara who cared for Jeanne in a loving way.  We are also so grateful to Debbie for her patience and providing Mom with her "Spa Days". Mom's friend Linda visited her often and kept her laughing.  Mom's friend Gwen Clarke sent a lovely, handwritten letter to her every week which kept her happy memories alive.  All of these special people helped us keep Mom at home ,and let her pass away at Spirithaven, which we consider such a blessing.

A Celebration of Jeanne’s Life will be scheduled and held in mid 2021 if/as appropriate.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Patrick County Alzheimer’s Group LLC , PO Box 1301, Stuart, VA 24171 or Mountain Valley Hospice, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200 Mount Airy, NC 27030.