EUGENIA J. “JEANNIE” DANIELS
1949-2018
Eugenia J. “Jeannie” Daniels, born December 14, 1949, died on July 8, 2018, from life-long complications of Type I Diabetes Mellitus which she had since age 13. She received a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant at UTMB in Galveston in 1997, which extended her life.
Jeannie was a long-time teacher, principal, and administrator with HISD. In addition, during her lifetime she was a small plane pilot, hand holder and advocate for Planned Parenthood in Houston and Denver, volunteer librarian at the Pine Library in Pine Grove, CO, member and president of the board of directors for the North Fork Library Association, director for the Buffalo Park Improvement Association, proud member of the GP Club (Girls of Pine or Guinea Pigs, whichever you prefer), and volunteer for the North Fork Fire Department and the InterMountain Humane Society. She was devoted to the small Pine Library, an all-volunteer historic repository of local history, artifacts and real books – mostly used paperbacks – located in the mountains near Buffalo Creek, Colorado. Jeannie’s social and political involvement began as a teenager at McAshan Methodist Church on Sampson Street between Harrisburg and Canal Streets in Houston’s Second Ward during the late 1960’s, and continued in various capacities and locales throughout her life. She was an unabashed Liberal.
Born in Houston, Jeannie attended Burnet Elementary, Edison Junior High, and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School. She received a B.S. degree from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and 2 M.Ed. degrees in education from the University of Houston central campus. While at the university (and beyond) she was a member of the Young Socialist Alliance and was a feminist and anti-war activist. She traveled extensively in Europe and Mexico, and loved traveling high in the Rockies on 4-wheel-drive passes. While living in Colorado, she was a contributing editor, co-author and photographer for a trail guide to hikes around Buffalo Creek. Preceded in death by her beloved, James Beach Daniels, she is survived by her daughter, Isadora Susan Daniels, Ph.D., her grandson Griffin Daniels Mangum, brother Raymond Bennett, sisters Cassandra Chaffee and Susan Anderson, and other family, as well as many friends in Buffalo Creek, Colorado and in Houston.
At her request, no services or memorials will be held. Memorial donations may be made to the North Fork Library Association for use at the Pine Public Library, 16720 Pine Valley Rd., Pine Grove, CO 80470, or a preferred charity.