August 10, 1925 – November 27, 2025
Jeanne Waters Strong, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully after a century on earth, on November 27, 2025, in Los Altos. Her warmth, spirit, and kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.
Born on August 10th, 1925, the only child to Lyman and Bess Waters, Jeanne was raised in San Carlos and Burlingame. Jeanne demonstrated resilience and determination throughout her life, including climbing Half Dome in Yosemite as a teenager and overcoming polio as a college student. She attended Cal before transferring to Stanford where she earned her degree in Psychology. Fulfilling a childhood dream, Jeanne earned her Private Pilot’s license in the early 1960s, and flew to numerous locations with her family around northern California to the delight of her sons and to the mild consternation of her husband.
Jeanne became a professional genealogist, meticulously researching and self-publishing six books chronicling different branches of her family’s history and working for numerous private clients. She became an enthusiastic anglophile through frequent travels to the U.K. and Europe with her beloved husband, Ted, capturing memories that enriched her deep appreciation for heritage and adventure. Jeanne also interviewed Ted about his WW II army experiences and published his story, preserving family history for generations to come.
Her love of dance—ballroom with Ted and thirty-five years of aerobic classes—was matched by her commitment to health and joy in movement. She enjoyed family trips to “the cabin” at Lake Tahoe where she gamely joined in her husband’s (and sons’) obsession with skiing in the winter, playing tennis in the summer, and entertaining countless friends and family. Jeanne was also a lifetime bridge player, her strategic mind and convivial personality making her a favorite at every table.
A true lifelong learner and community advocate, Jeanne was an early adopter of recycling, passionate about environmental stewardship.
Family was always at the heart of Jeanne’s world. She raised two sons, Dave and Don with incredible patience, kindness and love and shared her life with her beloved husband Ted through 63 years of marriage.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ted Strong in 2011. She is survived by her two sons Dave (Sharon) and Don (Kati), four grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and a host of dear friends, all of whom will carry forward her memory with love and gratitude. Her enduring presence will be deeply missed, but her example will continue to inspire those she leaves behind.
Jeanne will be interred at Alta Mesa Cemetery, beside Ted. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of choice in Jeanne’s memory.
Jeanne Waters Strong’s life reminds us of the power of kindness, the importance of family, and the lasting impact of a generous heart. She will be remembered always with love and affection.
