Jeanne-Sylvia (LaFountain) Pruett, of Freeland, passed peacefully from this life, Jan. 26, 2010, surrounded by loved ones following a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Windsor, Vt., on April 4, 1941, to Maurice and Margret LaFountain, she was the third sibling of six. She spent most of her school years in Claremont, N.H. After her high school graduation, Jeanne joined the Air Force.

She married Jack Pruett while stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, on Dec. 5, 1959.

They moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1961 and had two children, Donna in October of 1960 and Michael in August of 1961. They moved to Whidbey Island in July of 2003, where she was a member of the South Whidbey Church of Christ.

An avid reader, Jeanne volunteered at the Freeland Library until her illness.

She spent her life living as an outstanding example of a devoted mother, wife, sister and friend. Everyone who met Jeanne loved her. She often engaged strangers in conversation as though she had known them for years.

Jeanne, a unique and precious soul, is survived by her devoted husband of

50 years, Jack; daughter, Donna Shaffer, of Freeland; son, Michael Pruett (Suzanne), of Kirkland; brothers John LaFountain, of Rutland, Vt., Jerry LaFountain (Janet) of Central Point, Ore., Joe LaFountain (Jane) of Claremont, N.H.; sisters Marie Messier of Southbridge, Mass., Elizabeth Hart (Wayne) of Unity, N.H.; cousin Jo Vanbuskirk (Emmett) of Bristol, Vt.; grandchildren Tom and Ben Atkinson, Lani and Davis Pruett; many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends who will all greatly miss her.

Jeanne’s life will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Woodinville Church of Christ, 22502 75th Ave. SE, Woodinville.