Wilva “Jeanne” Sereff (Evanoff)

September 12, 1936 - March 28, 2021

Jeanne passed peacefully in her sleep as a result of Advanced Alzheimer’s, which she graciously lived with for the past 4 years. Born September 12, 1936, just months before the opening of her beloved Golden Gate Bridge, Jeanne was raised in San Francisco and enjoyed many reunions with fellow Polytechnic High School alumni. She loved her city and shared her passion for its beauty by opening her flower shop on Clement Street, “The Forget Me Not Shop.” She instilled her civic pride in her family through the spirit of volunteerism, be it helping to clean birds when an oil tanker spilled into the bay, or making cheerful cards for the breakfast trays of sick children at Shriner’s Hospital, her heart and hands were in constant motion.

Jeanne brightened every room she entered with her uplifting spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and warm, inviting smile. If you were fortunate enough to attend one of her many parties, you experienced the consummate ‘Hostess With The Mostest’s’ generous warmth, genuine grace and kindness, as well as limitless open, non-judgmental hospitality.

In 1980, she bravely battled and overcame Stage III Breast Cancer and went on to become a tireless volunteer with American Cancer Society’s Reach To Recovery Program.

In the early ‘90s, she moved to San Diego to watch her adoring grandchildren grow and flourish and enjoyed a very full life filled with theater, music, square dancing, knitting, walking, and socializing with The Lovely Ladies Club. She was a proud and active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 40 years, sponsoring and inspiring countless women on their journey of sobriety. She was known for the beautiful bookmarks that she made sure newcomers received along with a warm and welcoming hug.

She will continue to live on through her son, Mark Evanoff of Montana and daughter, Karen Blevins of San Diego, as well as her beautiful grandchildren: Katie, Jameson, Tyler and Bradford Blevins.

Due to COVID, there will be no service. We can all show our appreciation for having known Jeanne, our mom and her grandchildren’s “Gahdji,” by doing a random act of kindness today and remembering her in your thoughts and prayers.