Jeanne Yalon-Owens

Jeanne Marie Yalon was born in the Autumn of 1962, in San Francisco, CA. the last daughter and the youngest of seven children. Her siblings were born in quick succession, from 1947 to 1954. Mike, Joanne, John Daishin, Vince, Jerry and Mary were a smart group with a wide range of personalities and interests. Their home was an open and welcoming haven for all of their many friends to enjoy.

Jeanne Marie was born eight years after her sister Mary. She had red hair like her mother and a beautiful smile that was all her own. She was adored by her family. Her father, Jerry, an Administrator at UCSF, communicated to his children to take pride in a job well done and a love of music. Her mother and namesake, Jeanne, a nurse at UCSF, was generous with her time, her knowledge and her love. Jeanne Marie absorbed all of these traits. The family had a cabin in Tahoe where many days were spent hiking, skiing and swimming together, developing a love of the outdoors and life at the lake.

Jeanne Marie attended Holy Name Grammar School and Mercy High School. She earned a BSN from both UC Davis and San Francisco State University and a MN from Louisiana State University Health Science Center. She maintained many close friendships from these time periods and indeed, throughout her life. Her ability to connect with people was immediate. You were better in her presence because she saw and encouraged who you were. She radiated joy, communicated empathy and maintained a curiosity about people and the world around them. She nurtured her friendships, using her boundless energy to maintain them.

Her nursing experience was extensive and varied. Following graduation from UC Davis, Jeanne, as everyone now called her, worked as a Nurse Manager in the Pediatric Intensive Care unit at UCSF and as transport nurse for patients flown by helicopter seeking emergency medical care. She later taught nursing at Sutter Sacramento. She was a Family Nurse Practitioner at Shasta Family Practice and Siskiyou Medical Group; Chief Medical Officer, at Shasta Cascade Health Centers and most recently Nurse Practitioner at Shasta Family Care. She was nominated as one of the Best Medical Providers in Siskiyou County in 2021. Jeanne and Don Owens, her partner in adventure, travel, and love, married in 1989. At the conclusion of their first date, Don forever more referred to Jeanne as his best friend. Zakary Jerome Owens was born in 1992. At nine months of age, he accompanied his parents to Japan. During the Japanese years, they completed their family with the birth of Morgan Gibson Owens in 1996.

They lived in Japan for seven years. The family traveled extensively outside of Japan and had many great adventures. They immersed themselves in their Japanese neighborhood and school activities and fully embraced the music, food and beauty of Japan.

In the Spring of 1998, Jeanne’s beloved sister, Joanne died. Jeanne had a bond with each of JoAnne’s children, and indeed with all of her twenty-two nieces and nephews. She offered support, kindness and a sincere interest that enriched their lives. She consistently fostered communication and unity in her large family. Hardly a day went by that she wasn’t checking with family on the phone, by text or written cards. She rarely missed a birthday or significant event. She was always willing to come to you, to help you and to support you. She would say, “If you need me, I will be there.” She was true to her word.

In 2000, Don, Jeannie, Zak and Mo left Japan and relocated to New Orleans, LA. Jeannie enrolled in the MN program at Louisiana State University and was awarded her degree in 2002. They were ready to settle down and choose a community near family with good schools and plenty of forest, lakes and hiking trails. They bought a house at the edge of the woods in Mt. Shasta, CA. in April, 2003. Throughout the twenty years that Jeanne had her nursing practice in the Shasta area, she was able to harness an impressive wholistic approach to medicine and excellent diagnostic skills with her lively, joyous and energetic commitment to her patient’s health and care. She was incredibly generous with her time. She gave consistent and excellent care to the

Priests at Shasta Abby and others, quietly and without fanfare. The sheer number of cards, e mails, calls and care extended to her family in the wake of her death indicates the amount of people touched by her generosity of spirit and a tribute for the respect and love the community of Shasta, friends and family held for Jeanne. So many have expressed they have lost their best friend.

She is survived by her husband, Don Owens, her sons: Zak Owens of Palm Desert, CA and Mo Owens of Shasta, CA. She also leaves behind her brothers and sisters; Mike Yalon of Florence, Montana, John Daishin Yalon of Shasta Abby, Mt. Shasta, CA, Vince Yalon of San Francisco, CA, Jerry Yalon of Livermore, CA and Mary Yalon of Umqua, Oregon and many other loving friends, adoring in-laws and nieces and nephews who will always remember her dearly.

There will be a service in Shasta in September to celebrate Jeanne’s life and legacy. The date and specific location will be announced by the family at a later date. Those wishing to make a memorial donation can contribute to the Jeanne M. Memorial Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing at UCSF.