Bye Bye Queen Jeanne

In memory of Jeanne Dawson Thornton

April 13, 1935 - April 28, 2018

The Queen's final beach visit

Hi Queen Jeanne,

Last week I attended your funeral in Manchester, NH and I've gotta say, I did not see that coming! Here I was naïvely looking forward to spending quality time with you on your porch in Pine Point this summer, admiring our favorite beach in the world. I'd catch you up on my travels and refill your chocolate milk if needed. But apparently the universe had other plans.

So here I am now, reflecting on the time I got to spend with you, the impact you've had on my family and me, and the lessons I've learned from the way you lived your life.

#goals

At your funeral and subsequent reception, various members of our family shared some of their favorite stories about you. Most of their anecdotes related to something you had done or said that made them feel extra special or loved unconditionally. You could see all the heads nod in the crowd throughout the telling of these stories because even if we didn't get up and say it, each of us could think of a time (or many times) when you had showered us with genuine love and praise, and we were better off for it.

I don't have a specific story that sticks out in my mind, though I can attest that any time I was with you, you made me feel like the most capable, stunning human being to grace this planet. I always walked away from our interactions feeling a little more confident, with a little more spring in my step.

all the generations embracing #beachlife

Instead I have hundreds of memories that come to me in flashes when I think of you and our summers with the family in Maine: sipping mudslides on the beach with the whole crew (with yours served first, of course), triple checking your Pokeno card and repeating "it's an 8 not an ACE" as many times as it took to get it right, tracking down which chair among the fifty beach chairs was yours specifically (the queen needs her throne!), and of course too many porch chats, drinks and laughs to count. 

<3 the Dawson clan <3

Aunt Jeanne, your ability to find the beauty in everyone was inspiring and your appreciation of life's simple pleasures served, and will continue to serve, as an example for us all. Your love and warmth will never be forgotten. Pine Point will not be the same without you, but we will feel your presence on every cottage porch and with every beach sunset.

123, always

we all miss you so much already