Virginia U. Jaehne
Virginia U. Jaehne, age 92, passed away in her sleep on March 3, 2014 at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC after suffering a stroke.
Virginia was known to her friends as “Bette.” She had lived in Gainesville from 1983 until 2011, when she moved to Washington DC to be near family.
Bette was born in Lagrange, IL to Richard and Bertha Underwood on 8 May 1921. Bette attended Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, IL where she met Leroy H. Jaehne, from Western Springs, IL. During WWII Leroy served in the US Army and Bette attended college, first Vanderbilt University in Nashville (her father’s alma mater). But sadly her father fell ill and constrained finances brought her closer to home, first to attend the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and finally graduating from DePaul University in Chicago with a degree in business. During that period, she worked fulltime and attended the university. She was a true pioneer in her time, being among the first women to study business. She kept that business sense and savvy throughout her life.
After returning from the war, Leroy and Bette were married on 1 December 1945 at the First Congregational Church in Western Springs. They were married for 54 years before his death in 1999. While they lived together in Gainesville, they were members of the Telephone Pioneers, making and distributing “Care Bears” to hospitals and the fire department to sooth young ill patients. Shortly after Leroy passed away, she moved into the Atrium in Gainesville where she lived for more than a decade and organizing a knitting club to make and donate hats to deployed soldiers and newborns at local hospitals.
Bette and Leroy have 2 sons Ed and Richard, 5 grandchildren Sean, Nikki, Regina, Karl and Kenny, and 8 great-grandchildren Lindsey, Griffin, Jacob, Andrew, Mason, Gavin, Olivia, and baby Henry. In her last years, she was also comforted and supported daily by Ed’s partner Terry Painter.
A graveside service and Internment will be held at 10AM on Friday 14 March 2014 at Forest Meadows East Cemetery at 3700 SE Hawthorne Road, Gainesville, Fl. Those who have known Bette are welcome to attend.
