Obituary of Jeannette May Kinnear

Jeannette was born to Joe and Babe Manola on August 12th, 1937 in Chicago, IL and moved to Three Tree Point, WA in 1941. Young Jeannette loved swimming in the Puget Sound and playing on 3TP’s trails and beaches. She treasured time spent fishing with her dad, rollerskating with her mom, and doting on her baby brother Tom. As a teen, Jeannette performed in the Hi-Liners under the direction of Bill Moeller and graduated from Highline High School in 1956. She followed in the footsteps of her father (a barber in Burien), and worked as a beautician after attending Mr. Lee’s Beauty School.

On April 11, 1958, Jeannette married her high school sweetheart, Earl Patrick Kinnear, Jr. and they settled in the very heart of Three Tree Point. They lovingly welcomed three children in five years; it was always important to Jeannette to maintain a beautiful home for her family. Early parenthood for these two involved sharing their love of hunting and outdoor living with their kids. In the 70’s, you could find Pat and Jeannette aboard the May Lyn, motoring through the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands (Roche Harbor was their favorite). In 1983, they built their remote mountain cabin and it remains the most treasured gathering place for Pat and Jeannette’s family. There, these two loved admiring the wildlife, snowmobiling with loved ones, campfires under the stars, and all of the hilarious antics that come with mountain life.

After retirement, Pat and Jeannette traded their 3TP residence for life on the road in a 5th wheel. They traveled around the country twice and saw everything from the changing leaves in New Hampshire, to the awe-inspiring red rocks of Bryce Canyon; they visited family in the South and attended NASCAR races everywhere in between. What fun they had adventuring together and Jeannette often remarked how much she loved 5th wheel living.

Sadly, their adventures together were cut short at the onset of Pat’s illness and Jeannette lost the love of her life on September 16, 2004. Despite this shattering loss, renewed high school friendships helped Jeannette reconnect with classmate Gordon “Gordy” Neale and together they got a second chance at love and companionship. They adored each other’s families so much. Jeannette even introduced Gordy to living in a 5th wheel. Some of Jeannette’s closest pals reintroduced her to The Lettermen- a singing trio known for their harmonic blend of original and popular love songs. Oh, how Jeannette would swoon! She was always in the front row of every show and so enjoyed the friendships of their fans and The Lettermen themselves.

In 2018, Jeannette returned to Three Tree Point and cherished living with her daughter and family. She regularly played and won at mah-jongg and “mountain rummy.” There were precious family trips to Wisconsin, O’ahu, Roche Harbor and the cabin. She still loved to see The Lettermen perform and cheered relentlessly for her Seahawks. Though she faced her own health hardships, she remained the most loving, graceful, brave and resilient woman and the very best mother, grandmother and friend. Time spent with her children and grandchildren was her greatest joy. She often said in the last chapter of her life, “I am so blessed.”

Jeannette passed peacefully on June 30th, 2023 at home on Three Tree Point with family by her side. Jeannette’s loving legacy is carried on by her three children Kathy (Todd), Kevin (Kara) and Kraig (Melissa); her eight grandchildren Molly, Patrick, Amber, Ben, Cody, Josh, Joe and Cheyenne; and two great-grandchildren Noah and Jonah. She is also survived by her brother, Thomas J. Manola.

Her life will be celebrated in September of 2023.